Asheville GO |
The Asheville Green Opportunities Training Team (Asheville GO) is a paid job training and placement program designed to prepare unemployed, out-of-school young adults in and around Asheville for living wage jobs in the rapidly expanding green economy.
Our hands-on curriculum combines service projects, life skills training, support services, and on-the-job experience in promising fields like green construction, clean energy, recycling, ecological landscaping and restoration, and sustainable agriculture.
WHY GO?
The green economy is growing fast, creating thousands of green-collar jobs that pay a living wage, offer advancement opportunities, and serve the community and the planet. These jobs represent important "pathways out of poverty" for members of our communities who have traditionally struggled under the "gray," pollution-based economy. Asheville GO is designed to empower individuals with barriers to employment through a combination of service-learning projects, on-the-job training and one-on-one support.
Asheville GO CURRICULUM
Asheville GO's curriculum is designed to provide GO members with the foundation they need to launch successful green careers. Curricular components include:
Life Skills Training – Research indicates that, more than any other quality, employers seek workers with basic job-readiness skills. This means communicating effectively, working as part of a team, taking initiative, following through on commitments and other important life skills. Our life skills curriculum includes workshops on money management, conflict resolution, communication and entrepreneurship. We also use leadership expeditions and retreats, trainings, and mentoring to equip our trainees with the soft skills they need to succeed in any job environment.
Community and Environmental Service Projects – GO members learn the necessary technical skills through real-world projects that leave a lasting impact on their community and the environment. Enlisting career professionals to design and coordinate these projects ensures that the projects are authentic and provide our members with the skills and experience most relevant to the job. For information on our projects, click here.
Apprenticeships – Once they have been introduced to the range of possible green career pathways through service projects, each GO member selects one pathway to explore more deeply through an apprenticeship. These apprenticeships, hosted by local businesses, government agencies and nonprofits, provide on-the-job experience and allow members to apply and enhance the skills gained during the earlier phases of the program. For a list of 2009 Apprentice Hosts, click here.
Community College Coursework – Whether they are studying environmental science, becoming OSHA certified, or pursuing their GED, GO members complement their practical, hands-on learning with classroom learning through Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Program coordinators help each member select the coursework that best fits his or her education background, goals, and career focus.
Mentoring – Adult mentors guide each Asheville GO member throughout the program experience, helping them with schoolwork, counseling them about classes and career pathways, and preparing them for what comes after graduation.
