Jobs for the Future (JFF) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) are partners in the Greenforce Initiative™, an effort to strengthen the capacity of community colleges to develop, enhance or refine green career pathway programs in six regions of the U.S.

JFF and NWF share a desire to increase the capacity of community colleges to prepare nontraditional students to enter the green-collar and sustainability job market. NWF has a 20-year history of working with colleges and universities to improve their overall green educational programming and on-site sustainability. For 25 years, JFF has worked to create and expand training- and education-based solutions to poverty, and it has deep expertise in engaging colleges in workforce partnerships and sector-specific workforce development initiatives.

The Greenforce Initiative is active in Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

"We face a major challenge to retool and rebuild our workforce and meet the challenges of the coming clean energy economy," said Lisa Madry, Campus Field Director, National Wildlife Federation. "The Greenforce commitment will help accelerate America's ability to tackle the climate crisis while creating economic opportunities and pathways out of poverty."

"Post-secondary credentials are increasingly required for careers that pay family-sustaining wages," said Gloria Mwase, Program Director, Jobs for the Future. "While the labor demand in key "green" sectors offer job growth opportunities in many communities, it is critical that we ensure that under-prepared adults can access and succeed in these careers."