Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative

The Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative (the Initiative) is a multi-organizational collaborative working to facilitate the development of a skilled workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the emerging green economy and to capture new employment opportunities for Chicagoland workers. 

The overall goal of the Initiative is to promote and develop a green collar workforce system that integrates green business growth, innovative workforce development, and emerging environmental practices and policies into a vibrant regional economy. 

Our growing network of engaged partners is driving the conversation regarding Green Collar Jobs in the Chicagoland region and is poised to continue to grow this movement throughout the region. 

What is a "green collar job"?  The Initiative has adopted the following definition of a green collar job developed by Initiative Steering Committee Member, the North Lawndale Employment Network, who is forging a strong path to environmentally sustainable and socially just communities:

 "Green Collar jobs have a positive influence on the environment and provide workers with a family sustaining income or a pathway to it, including training and upward mobility and multiple entry points on the pathway.  They are accessible for individuals with significant barriers to employment, but not limited to them.  They include local jobs in alternative energy, alternative transportation, energy and water conservation and efficiency, green building, material reuse, sustainable local food systems, and recycling, among others."


2nd Annual Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Summit Summary


 GREEN NEWS & HAPPENINGS:

  • North Lawndale Employment Network's Sweet Beginnings program is making a lot of buzz. The program was recently highlighted on NPR, ABC 7, nextTV, and Chicago Magazine.  Sweet Beginnings is a transitional jobs program that provides wages and employment training as a stepping stone for participants to enter the workforce. Men and women who face numerous barriers to employment learn how to produce, market, and sell urban honey and spa-quality, honey-based skincare products. In the process, they gain skills and real-world work experience that are required to enter the traditional job market.
  • Living Cities - a major philanthropic, corporate, and public sector partnership - has provided a grant to a collaborative in Chicago, led by The Partnership for New Communities, to help catalyze green job opportunities for low-income residents.  Opportunity Chicago - a workforce development initiative - will be one of the primary vehicles for the work, which will develop new curricula and training models and connect Chicagoans to employment in the energy efficiency field. The grant from Living Cities provides a platform to “green” Opportunity Chicago, connecting it to the Chicago Climate Action Plan through partners at the City of Chicago, Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative, and Chicago Jobs Council.  


GREEN OPPORTUNITIES:

  • The City of Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (FSS) is committed to improving the well-being of Chicago's youth and their families by supporting green food and environmental policies.  FSS and their partners are seeking to build relationships with organizations that share their goals as they implement this year's youth summer jobs program.  If you are interested in providing young people with meaningful work and learning experiences this summer, we encourage you to partner with Youth Ready Chicago, which will provide qualified candidates at no cost to you and will subsidize the cost of your intern for 8-10 weeks.  To learn more about Mayor Daley's Youth Ready Chicago program, please visit www.youthreadychicago.org, or call (312) 743-0300 and ask to speak with a Job Developer.
  • Bronzeville Green - associated with the Renaissance Collaborative - is seeking a part-time organic landscaping grounds maintenance trainer/crew leader.  Job information and how to apply for it can be found here.