More than 75 people attended a Detroit GreenWorks Solutions event aimed at employers and community leaders interested in the green jobs training program.

“GreenWorks is developing people and helping the city to flourish,” said Christopher Gilbert, District Manager at The Home Depot, who spoke at the event. “As employers, we know that it's hard to find good talent. But GreenWorks is finding the best people and giving them the best training. It is a golden opportunity for employers.”

Detroit GreenWorks Solutions began last January through a $4 million federal grant. It provides job training in green industries such as weatherization, deconstruction, landscaping and forestry. The program specifically targets unemployed and underemployed residents in southwest Detroit. Southwest Solutions is the lead agency in the GreenWorks consortium of local nonprofit agencies.

“GreenWorks is producing job-ready individuals who will help transform the Michigan economy,” said Linda West, who directs the GreenWorks program, and who also spoke at the event. “Through GreenWorks, people who need the work the most are doing the work that most needs to get done.”

John Van Camp, president of Southwest Solutions, praised the GreenWorks partners at the event. “GreenWorks is only possible because WARM Training, Henry Ford Community College and The Greening of Detroit convened and set the table,” John said.

Two successful GreenWorks graduates spoke at the event. Sabrina Blight is now working at The Home Depot after completing The Greening of Detroit landscape program. Sabrina said that she had tried for four years to get a job with Home Depot, but lacked the qualifications until she finished the GreenWorks training.

“I am now looking forward to moving up in the company,” Sabrina said.

Henry Elmore was one of the first graduates of the WARM weatherization program run by GreenWorks. After speaking, Henry circulated at the event and spoke to individuals interested in the program.

“The main point is that GreenWorks prepares you for a real career,” Henry told a prospective trainee. 

Henry is working with Four Seasons Weatherization and Sunrooms. The owner of the company, Eric Brakke, attended the event. Eric said that he hopes to add another weatherization crew when his business expands and would look to hire GreenWorks graduates because they have an excellent understanding of the work involved.

“I think the weatherization field has a lot of opportunities,” Eric said. “There is so much housing stock out there that needs to be made more energy-efficient. When the economy improves, the credit market rebounds and home values appreciate again, the weatherization business will grow even more.”

In addition to Home Depot and Four Seasons, DTE Energy, MDOT, and Blanket Insulation are using GreenWorks as a referral source for skilled and reliable workers. The GreenWorks event drew other prospective employers, including WellHome, WH Canon Company, and Re-Construction, Inc.

The event was held last week at Taqueria Mi Pueblo in southwest Detroit. For more information about GreenWorks, visit its website. To learn more about the training program, contact Joe Rashid by email or at 313.841.9641 x.330. If you’re interested in interviewing a GreenWorks graduate for possible employment, email Jose Flores or call him at 313.841.9641 x.329.