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Thanks to everyone who came out on the 27th to celebrate, learn more
about green jobs and the green jobs. We had more than 400 people come
out for music, sunshine, food, and amazing speakers. In a time when it
looks like the old economy is coming apart, we told our elected
officials: We're Ready! Ready to replace the oil-based economy with a
new one that respects both people and the planet.
Check out some photos of the event.
After a thorough competitive process, the City of Oakland awarded Laney
College, Cypress Mandela, and Growth Sector the contract to run the
Oakland Green Jobs Corps. The comprehensive 8-month program will
include job readiness training, classroom instruction, and on-the-job
experience for about 40 Oakland residents. We're excited to see the
green-collar jobs movement taking root in Oakland! And don't worry:
we'll be throwing a celebration party when the program starts this fall.
Speaking of laying the groundwork: An important bill just passed the
California Legislature and is now waiting to be signed by Governor
Schwarzenegger! AB 3018 (Núñez) creates a special "Green-Collar Jobs
Council" in the California Workforce Investment Board. This Council
will drive planning, research, and funding to meet California's growing
green workforce needs. If signed, this bill will ensure that
green-collar jobs are a permanent part of California's workforce
strategy.
On July 24, in a rare and rich discussion between two rising-star
leaders, California Senator Darrel Steinberg and Van Jones
sat down together before a packed auditorium at the Commonwealth Club
in San Francisco to chat about the power of green solutions to address
both problems of the environment and problems of poverty in California.
California's biggest green jobs bill didn't quite make it to the
governor's desk this year, but it went much further than anyone
expected. And it will be back, stronger and better, in 2009! SB 1672
(Steinberg) would have invested $2.25 billion in green career education
and training, especially for California's disadvantaged communities. We
enjoyed small victories as the bill sailed through the State Senate and
almost all the way through the Assembly. Alas, the bill got held
up in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in the midst of
California's worst budget year in recent memory. But we're not worried
-- along the way, we've helped amass the largest, most powerful green
jobs coalition ever seen in the Golden State. And we're just getting
started.
From April 4 - 6, 2008 something beautiful happened in Memphis. More than 1,100 activists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers
converged on the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination to
declare the Dream Reborn and witnessed the blossoming of a new
movement. On June 4, 2008, something beautiful happened in Oakland.
More than 300 people filled the Oakland Museum of California with
visions of a green economic future that provides opportunities for all.
We're building on the energy and excitement from Memphis and are
channeling it into our green-collar jobs work here in California!
On May 21st, 2008, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) presented our Green-Collar Jobs Campaign with the Green Innovator of the Year Award.
This prestigious award acknowledged the breakthrough work of the
Green-Collar Jobs Campaign in its continued efforts to advocate for
green pathways out of poverty. At the award ceremony, Assemblywoman
Hancock spoke to the vital role the campaign plays in working to
improve the quality of life for the Bay Area community, the State of
California, and beyond.
The nation's leading experts on green-collar jobs (and our closest national allies) just released an important new publication, Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities: Building Pathways out of Poverty and Careers in the Clean Energy Economy.
This publication will help people in cities across the country realize
their dreams of a strong -- and green -- economy that provides pathways
to prosperity for people in need.
We are proud and excited to introduce a brand new spin-off initiative: Green For All. Green For All's goal is to secure $1 billion in funding for green-collar job training in order to lift 250,000 people out of poverty across the country.
More Green-Collar Jobs Highlights »
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