The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights advocates for creating green pathways out of poverty and into the green
economy for low-income people and people of color. One way to create
those opportunities is by advocating for green-collar jobs training
programs that serve people facing barriers to employment. Below you
will find a list of quality green-collar job training programs in the
East Bay Area and a few exceptional programs though out the state of
California. All programs below (besides some community colleges) are
free and designed for adults facing barriers to employment.
Bay Area Green Collar Job Training Programs:
Other Workforce Development Partners
The Oakland Green Jobs Corps
The Oakland Green Jobs Corps provides long term, job-readiness training,
ongoing support services, college credit and on-the-job training in
solar, energy efficiency, and green construction.
The Oakland Green Jobs Corps is administered by:
- Laney College: a premier regional community college providing green vocational education.
- Cypress Mandela Construction Training Program: a renowned pre-apprenticeship program that serves adults with barriers to employment.
- Growth Sector, Inc: a workforce intermediary connecting employers, government, and community agencies.
Requirements for eligibility:
- 18 years of age
- High school Diploma or GED
- DMV Driving Record Print Out
- Social Security Card/right to Work Status
- Valid CA Driver's License
- Ability to pass a drug test
- 10th grade Math and English
For more information:
Donna Miller
Cypress Mandela Construction Training
2229 Poplar St. Oakland, CA
(510) 208.7350
www.cypressmandela.org
Richmond BUILD and Solar Richmond
Offers a free 10-week construction training program in safety and CPR, power tools, framing, sheet rock, basic electrical, roofing, scaffolding, basic plumbing, basic welding, solar installation and energy efficiency for Richmond residents. In partnership with Richmond Build, Solar Richmond provides trainees with 5 weeks of solar panel and solar thermal training to Richmond residents.
Requirements for eligibility:
- 18 years of age
- High school Diploma or GED
- DMV Driving Record Print Out
- Social Security Card/Right to Work Status
- Valid CA Driver's License
- Ability to pass a drug test
- 10th grade Math and English
For More Information:
Richmond Build
330 25th Street, Richmond CA 94804
(510) 307.8034
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.asp?nid=1243
Solar Richmond
360 South 27th Street, Richmond, CA
(510) 307.8034
www.solarrichmond.org
Rising Sun Energy Center
The Rising Sun Energy Center provides two energy efficiency training and
employment programs; California Youth Energy Services (CYES) and Green
Energy Training Services (GETS).
CYES is a summer training and employment opportunity for youth and young
adults ages 14-22. Participants are trained to do simple energy efficiency retrofits that are free to home owners and renters. CYES employees are paid $10/hour from the end of June through early August and operate from nine satellite offices serving these Bay Area cities: Pittsburg, Richmond, San Pablo, Berkeley, Emeryville, Hayward, San Leandro, Livermore, Oakland, Fremont, San Rafael and Marin City/Mill Valley.
GETS is a 3-6 month energy efficiency and building performance training program for young adults. GETS is taught in both the Oakland Green Jobs Corps and Richmond Build/ Solar Richmond Programs.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Ages 14-22
• Must fill out application (can be found online, www.risingsunenergy.org/jobs/html)
• Must provide copy of current resume
For more information:
Rising Sun Energy Center
2033 Center Street
Berkeley CA 94704
(510) 665-1501
www.risingsunenergy.org
Civicorps
Civicorps is a training and employment program that teaches recycling, natural field services (restoration, maintenance, and tree planting) and urban resource services (clean parks, landscaping, etc.) to young adults. Lengths of programs vary and are designed to help students receive their GED. If participants have their GED or high school diploma, they can go directly into the employment programs.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Ages 18-24
• 2 week orientation (prior to working)
For More Information:
Contact: Tessa Christenson
Adress:1021 Third Street
Oakland, California 94607
EmailTessa.Christenson@cvcorps.org
(510) 992-7855 fax
Women's Actions to Gain Economic Security - WAGES
WAGES is a training and employment program whose mission is to build worker-owned, green housecleaning businesses that create healthy, dignified jobs for low-income women.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Women
• 18+ years of age
For more information:
Adress: 1904 Franklin Street Suite 801
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-451-3100
Web: www.wagescooperative.org
Regional Technical Training Center
RTTC provides a 16-week training program in the field of Environmental Engineering. Their program is designed in collaboration with Merritt College, PG&E, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, Grid Alternatives, Sun Energy, Longshore, & Warehouse Union Local 1245. It provides the training needed for employment as an Environmental Engineering Technician.
Eligibility Requirements:
• A high school diploma or GED
• Completion of application (call the number below for a copy of the application)
• Completion of a reading and math test and an interest inventory assessment
• Completion of a one-on-one interview with a staff member
For more information:
Regional Technical Training Center
Address: 760 Maritime Street, Oakland, California 94607
Phone: (510) 444-6441
Web: www.rttc.u
Other Workforce Development Partners
Workforce Development Collaborative
WDC is a program that works to create a bridge between the participants previous work/life experience into a career. They provide basic education, soft/life skills, computer skills, GED classes, as well as basic jobs skills (providing retail/service certification), and vocational skills training to help participants achieve economic self-sufficiency in targeted industries.
Eligibility Requirements:
• 7th grade math and reading level
• Passage of drug test
For more information:
John Brauer
1433 Webster Street Oakland, CA
(510) 891.8773 ext.304
johnbrauer@aol.com
Youth Employment Partnership (YEP)
YEP is a youth training program that connects youth and young adults ages 14-22 with services, basic education, and job skills training for a variety of careers.
Basic Eligibility:
• Oakland resident
• Low-income household
• (Eligibility requirements depend on program; please call for program-specific information.)
For more information:
Adress:2300 International Boulevard, Oakland CA 94601
Phone:(510)533.3447
Web:www.yep.org
Job Train
Job Train is located in Menlo Park, CA and is an educational and job training institution that also offers career counseling and and job placement services to graduates in a variety of careers. For more information, visit their website.
LA Trade Tech
LA Trade Tech is located in downtown LA and is a public 2-year community college that aims to prepare students for jobs in their field of interest. Nearly half of LA Trade Tech's students have said that they are attending college for job preparation. For more information, visit their website.
East LA Skills Center
East LA Skills Center is a full-time Employment and Preparation Training Center that provides short-term vocational training, classes for the High School Diploma, and GED prep in English and Spanish. Students may enroll in classes anytime during the year as long as space is available. For more information, visit their website.
