AUSTIN, Texas – A new Native-operated 501(c)(3) is turning its focus on green-collar careers for American Indians and veterans.

Native Workplace is officially announcing its new effort to help the community connect with the thousands of careers created by growth in renewable energy industries.

Its mission is to promote green-collar careers and to develop an American Indian and veteran work force for green industries. Making www.nativeworkplace.com a hub for information regarding green growth in Indian country as well as an educational site is also in the works.

“We realized that there wasn’t a place where people could learn about the different types of careers in green energy and the skill sets involved,” said Cristala Mussato-Allen, founder and executive director of NWP. “People have no idea what these jobs require or how they are defined.”

The nonprofit is focusing on two main goals: educating the community and recruiting tribal members and veterans into training and employment nationwide.

The organization will be hosting “Green Collar Career Day” events where the community can learn about these new jobs. Events will be a combined effort with on-site recruitment into local training, on-the-job training employment, and certification opportunities.

Affordable entry-level training is already available at some schools near tribal communities, and expansion into tribal colleges is under way. Many of the employment opportunities are on-the-job training, so tribal members can be working, learning and receiving a paycheck from day one.

“Indian country is poised to fill the work force void the renewable industry is currently experiencing. Tribal communities, both rural and urban, are located near growing
opportunities,” said Lee Ann TallBear, who chairs the board of directors. “These careers are a perfect fit for who we are as Native people.”

The organization hopes schools use the site as a place for creating green education and career projects.

Additional resources provided include nationwide listings of Native chambers of commerce, urban Indian centers and tribal colleges, as well as green Native businesses, green grants for tribes, green tribal news and links to other Native environmental organizations.

“We are excited at the possibilities of our community being in the forefront of these new jobs. Besides the obvious contribution we will be making to save our sacred sources, it gives us a chance to learn trades that provide secure income and an opportunity for business development,” Mussato-Allen said.

For more information, visit www.nativeworkplace.com.