Green Landscape Job Training Program Begins
This month Groundwork began a three month long job training program. With the help of our partners at WestHab, we recruited and hired 17 “at-risk” young adults in Yonkers. In the first two weeks, the group will do a series of job readiness workshops. During the following 4 weeks, Groundwork staff will conduct intensive sustainable landscaping training in areas such as green landscape design and construction, building and maintaining organic gardens, identifying and planting native flowers, trees and shrubs, identifying and managing invasive plants, and using heavy duty tools to make planters and garden boxes.
At the end of the first 6 weeks, a select group of 12 participants will be chosen to receive hands-on training, skill development and career exploration in the preservation, conservation and restoration of natural and cultural resources at Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historical Park in partnership with Groundwork USA. The group will be trained by an expert in the field of dry stone masonry, a rare and valuable skill. In addition to the preservation training activities at Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historical Park, training and development will also be provided in life skills, job readiness skills, leadership, civic engagement and stewardship in their community.
Groundwork USA and Groundwork Hudson Valley and Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Site share the following objectives for this ARRA funded project:
- Provide diverse youth educational and employment opportunities so they might gain a better understanding and appreciation of NPS’ natural and cultural resources.
- Engage diverse youth in active stewardship and improvement of the park’s cultural landscape.
- Expand understanding of the park’s history and significance among an underserved constituency.
- Increase the training, skill development and career exploration for diverse youth which would be relevant in seeking NPS employment in the future.
- Provide hands on experience with restoration of culturally significant dry laid stone walls.
We look forward to an exciting and productive 2010. With each new year, the role of on-the-ground community projects in sustainability, education, neighborhood greening, and job training
become increasingly vital and we couldn’t do any of it without the support and participation of our neighbors, partnering organizations, local and state governments, and individual supporters.
This would be my dream job. congrats to these lucky kids.
we always redo our landscape every 2 or 3 months to adapt to the changing weather.”~*
i just found out about this dream work job experience today. Does anyone know where i can get a job application from? please and thankyou.
Landscaping is very important in both the business offices and at home. it makes your yard impressive.`’*