Program helps veterans into conservation careers
“Any country that is worth defending is worth preserving.”
That’s the credo of the Veterans Conservation Corps and in continuing our mission to protect and restore Washington’s rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters and open lands, we have been expanded to train a highly skilled work force of veterans to fill high demand “green collar” positions.
Post-Sept. 11 veterans who are willing to transition their military mission to a personal mission to protect the environment and the future of our region are encouraged to participate in the Veterans Environmental Academy, now offered at Spokane Community College, beginning fall quarter.
The concept of the Veterans Environmental Academy is that the post-Sept. 11 student-veterans will participate in a nontraditional college environment. Besides in-class course work (with other veterans), the veteran will work hands-on with conservation projects (earning college credit) to gain experience with on-the-job training projects – experience that the veteran can only gain through participation, not just by learning through textbook and lecture.
The academy will offer a well-rounded mix of natural resource (forestry, parks and recreation, soils, wildlife, and fisheries), water resource (hydrology and water quality) and agricultural courses that will provide a career pathway with a competitive living wage.
What started as a pilot program last year with 30 veterans at Green River Community College expanded this last legislative session with an additional $250,000, which is going to go to 25 participating veterans as living stipends split between Spokane Community College and Olympic College. This $1,000 monthly living stipend is in addition to partial tuition waivers, retraining funds, $1,321 monthly Montgomery GI Bill benefit (or Chapter 31 benefits) and other financial aid.
This program is also considered commissioner approved training, meaning the veteran can collect their regular unemployment insurance benefits while in attendance. We are setting up veterans for success with this living stipend so they can concentrate on their course work and ease the burden of unsatisfactory employment to support their families.
During the program, assistance with job placement or small-business development will be provided. After completion, the veteran can choose to pursue employment (with continued support), start a small business or re-enroll to work toward completing an associate and/or bachelor degree.
Spokane Community College is not the only college that is partnering with the Veterans Conservation Corps – Green River Community College, Olympic College, Renton Technical College, Centralia College and Lake Washington Technical College are all partners. More partnerships are being forged for next year in more locations across the state.
Our vision is that we can help veterans train for a career that will offer above a living wage by training them in high-demand jobs throughout Washington. We will aid veterans with housing transitions when necessary and the program will also provide other support services to ensure that the enrollee is getting help in all areas of their life.
Honor, Courage, Commitment, Respect, Devotion to Duty, Loyalty, Selfless Service, Integrity, Excellence in All We Do – all of these are core values that our voluntary service men and women stand for in protecting our constitutional freedoms and rights. Because of this, Washington employers should pay attention to this program, as a highly skilled and trained work force with a strong work ethic will soon be available for hire, and what better way to thank our returning warriors than with a career?
Enrollment is limited and the 12 slots are expected to fill quickly for a Sept. 22 start date at Spokane Community College. Post-Sept. 11 Washington veterans, reservists, members of the guard and prospective employers are encouraged to inquire.