A recent article by Linda Baker in Fast Company magazine illustrates how emerging “green-collar jobs” can be used to achieve social change. “I’m Bad! I’m Slick” (May 2008) focuses on the work of Van Jones, a social entrepreneur in Oakland, California who has been leading an effort to create our country’s first green-collar jobs corps—which, as the article points out, will train low-income youth in the renewable-energy, organic food, and green construction industries.

The author notes that increased investments in clean technology companies, as well as more states with renewable-energy standards, has created a need for a green labor force. Van Jones wants to train people from disadvantaged backgrounds for these green jobs. He believes that the growth potential of the green economy offers a unique opportunity to truly lift people out of poverty. He is quoted in the article as stating, “If we are actually going to meet the challenge of global warming, we are going to have to weatherize millions of homes and install millions of solar panels. That’s millions of new jobs. We need to connect the people who most need the work with the work that most needs to be done.” His efforts have been well received in Oakland, and now he’s aiming for national expansion.

Two of the Great Bay Foundation’s recent grantees are in the process of launching business ventures directly related to what Jones has in mind. The first, Vermont Works for Women (led by Tiffany Bluemle), received $39,300, some of which is being used to write a business plan for a venture that would train female ex-offenders to install solar panels. The second, ReCycle North (led by Tom Longstreth) received $65,000 to assist in the start-up of its YouthBuild Weatherization Training and Service Program (more on this in a future post).

We agree that the growth of the green economy presents a unique opportunity to achieve social change, and specifically to increase individuals’ self-reliance. Through green jobs, disadvantaged individuals can earn a living while gaining marketable skills that will only increase in demand as time goes on.

Ashoka, the organization that has long and distinguished history of supporting innovative social entrepreneurs wherever they might exist, elected Jones into its prestigious Fellowship in 2000. You can read about his work with Ashoka here.

As always, we’re interested in knowing what you think. What are your thoughts about “green collar jobs”?