Jobs for Veterans Created by Colorado Partnership

A continuing partnership between a local nonprofit organization and mega company is helping to create jobs for veterans.

The Walmart Foundation recently announced that it has awarded a $500,000 grant to Veterans Green Jobs. The funding will be used to help the Colorado-based nonprofit increase its job creation and training programs in the green jobs industry.

Veterans Green Jobs trains and prepares military veterans for jobs in home energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental conservation and restoration. The organization's programs are specifically aimed at helping veterans expand their career opportunities and reintegrate into civilian life.

"Powerful, positive change is possible when private corporations and nonprofit organizations come together toward creating a more sustainable future," Brett KenCairn, CEO of Veterans Green Jobs, said. "As individual citizens, we can each do our part to conserve energy and use environmentally friendly products. This power is magnified exponentially when leading businesses and innovative organizations team up to provide the tools and resources people need to take these solutions to a larger scale."

This is the second year in a row the Walmart Foundation has funded Veterans Green Jobs, with grants totaling $1,249,000 since 2008. That funding has helped the organization create about 120 jobs in Colorado's green collar industry, with more positions to be added this year.

"Now more than ever, we are looking for opportunities to support organizations that are creating jobs," Walmart Foundation President Margaret McKenna said. "By supporting Veterans Green Jobs, we are helping the environment and supporting veterans to return to the workforce."

The Walmart Foundation, which is a founding sponsor of Veterans Green Jobs, has provided essential funds for training programs and job placement assistance that have placed military veterans into meaningful positions in a number of program areas.

Many of those positions were with: partnerships with conservation corps programs that prepare veterans for work geared to protect and preserve our country's public lands; projects offering weatherization assistance and energy audits to qualified low-income families in Colorado; and programs to help homeless veterans find meaningful work through urban tree planting initiatives.

Check out this recruiting video for Veterans Green Jobs: