Green DMV is working to create a highly-skilled green collar workforce to meet the demand of a growing green economy in the Washington Metropolitan area. Green-collar jobs are the jobs of the future, jobs that make our country more prosperous, sustainable, and secure. Many American cities are already putting people to work in these jobs, investing in new transit systems, energy efficient buildings, and other projects that improve the quality of life for local residents and make our cities cleaner, greener, and more livable.

In December 2007, President Bush signed the Green Jobs Act to train workers for green collar jobs. It authorizes $125 million for workforce training programs targeted to veterans, displaced workers, at-risk youth, and families in extreme poverty. It will train people for jobs like installing solar panels and weatherization.

As the nation's capitol, Washington D.C. plays an important leadership role in advancing green jobs through the DC Green Collar Jobs Initiative --a cooperative effort among city government, for profit entities, non-profits, & academic institutions.

Washington, DC's elected and business leadership is already well attuned to the opportunities at hand. District Department of the Environment (DDOE) is leading the charge and other district agencies such as the Departments of Planning, Employment Services and Small and Local Business Development, among other city agencies, to play integral roles in the development of his green jobs training policies.

The central policy goals of the DC effort are to develop the capacity of local businesses and the local workforce to capitalize on opportunities created by:

1) the Green Building Act

2) integrated storm water management and green urban infrastructure policies

3) a comprehensive energy policy that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy installations

4) a city-wide commitment to reducing carbon emissions to fight climate change.

Together, these policies will expand demand for a variety of green-collar jobs and create vibrant new markets for DC-area businesses. The Government of the District of Columbia is committed to using the existing workforce and economic development systems to ensure that the city uses its resources to support the greening of the city as part of its core operations.

Green DMV has established the Greater Washington Green Jobs Corps to offer green job training to individuals from disadvantaged communities to provide services in the green economy like weatherization of homes, businesses and federal buildings and the installation of solar panels. The Greater Washington Green Jobs Corp engages and helps to connect young adults to new green job opportunities.