From left, Corey Hayden, Eric Walker, Jackson McDowell, Tevon, McFadden, DeJuan Scott, Adam Wiley, Allen Shropshire, Josaiah Edward, Maurice McDowell and Ron Moore
Build It Green's workforce development program received the 2020 Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award this week.
It was one of nine groups across the state chosen for the award, honoring its 12-week workforce development and leadership training.
"Tennesseans continue to show their commitment to the environment in innovative ways, and we want to recognize their outstanding efforts,” Governor Lee said. “These awards show that responsible environmental stewardship is happening across our state.”
The Build it Green program is supported by Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, TVA and donations from the community.
BIG aims to generate pathways out of poverty for young adults through job readiness training, community organizing and outreach training, and technical training in the green building field. Affordability of utilities is one of the greatest challenges to low income neighborhoods in Chattanooga. This program brings solutions to issues of energy efficiency in low income areas as well as a pipeline for employment into the green economy. BIG utilizes a unique blend of community outreach, personal development, and technical training to create workforce ready young adults.
The 12 week program will prepare young adults from low-income communities for entry level jobs in the energy services field, while equipping them to engage low-income residents in sustainability practices and programs, particularly best practices in residential energy efficiency and weatherization programs, said officials.
BIG participants will gain the following from the 12 week program:
6 weeks community engagement/personal development/job readiness training
6 weeks technical training in weatherization and community sustainability
3 days per week, 4 hours per day of training
Weekly job shadowing & off site job training opportunities
Paid training - $10/hour for 12 weeks
Paid job shadowing opportunities
Job placement assistance
Base training in weatherization and basic home upgrades
No GED or high school equivalency required
BIG is based off Stan Johnson’s workforce development program, Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development, in Knoxville and Manitoba Green Retrofit in Alberta, Canada.