What community based workforce development organizations are good at is working with local employers to create a pool of ready employees. It is the strength of these collaborations between employers, the wd system and community members that makes the work of wd cbos successful.

How do green jobs fit with this? There is hype and hope out there about green jobs. And there are even green jobs out there (and we believe more coming). What's a wd cbo to do? The answer is keep on doing the good work you've been doing: your industry research, your local networking with employers and your wib board, assessment, education, training and support to students and trainees.

Think of 'green' as a filter as well as the umbrella term for a number of industry sectors (clean energy, weatherization, urban agriculture, organic lawncare/landscaping). Stay tuned to the green jobs talk but bring it local - ask yourself who in your community is a 'green' employer, who could be and get to know them just like you've been doing all along.