Veteran-CSU jobs partnership is nation's first

Colorado State University and Veterans Green Jobs signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November to create the Veterans Green Jobs Education Initiative. CSU is the first four-year university to partner with the veterans jobs training organization to provide "green" educational opportunities.

The agreement between CSU and the Denver-based non-profit Veterans Green Jobs encourages military vets to attend the University in academic disciplines — at both the undergraduate and graduate levels — that will lead to careers in the green jobs sector.

"As a university, it is important that we honor the service of veterans and recognize their sacrifices by providing both access to education and opportunities for career development," says CSU President Tony Frank. "This MOU can help provide veterans with a second career after their military service as well as contribute to Colorado’s new-energy economy."

Programs of study include such disciplines as natural resources management, forestry and military lands management, sustainable construction, renewable energy technology, and sustainable business development.

The initiative provides returning military veterans with training programs and deployment into new-energy jobs, energy conservation, renewable energy, and environmental restoration.

The veteran-education partnership is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In 2010, Veterans Green Jobs will launch additional programs across the United States to train veterans to manage weatherization programs, install solar panels and wind turbines, rebuild and retrofit homes, and replant and restore urban and wildland environments.