One of the most fulfilling aspects of life centers around discovering a rewarding career path.
Thanks to a joint funding partnership with Dakota County and Dakota Electric Association, the Green Industry Exploration Program provides Dakota County youth the opportunity to explore green industry careers. Participants receive hands-on experience to determine whether a particular career field is right for them. They develop valuable networking contacts with professionals, and they get to know other youth with the same interests and aspirations.
“The sessions are great. It gives us a bit of experience. It’s nice to meet everyone in the program. Tree Trust is a great program and I’m thinking of coming back in the summer.” – Mur, program participant
Through this Tree Trust career exploration program, young people attend virtual learning activities with our employer partners and participate in outdoor projects related to the green industry and the environment. Virtual presentations from Clearway Community Solar, Home Sown Community Gardens, Dakota County Electric, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota GreenCorps, and Tree Trust’s Landscape Services and Community Forestry departments provide participants the chance to explore a variety of green career pathways.
“I enjoyed hearing from Home Sown Gardens because they talked about gardening. I liked this session because I love pulling out weeds and buckthorn. It’s important to remove buckthorn because it’s an invasive species and not good for the environment.” – Addie, program participant
All Tree Trust programs offer participants the unique opportunity to explore and develop an interest in high-demand green careers and skilled trades, while being paid to learn. These experiences plant valuable seeds for personal growth and shape career aspirations for the future, greatly benefitting our youth, the environment, and our community.
“I am more interested in green careers after this program, and I want to do the summer program again!” – Addie, program participant
Tree Trust continues to address the persistent problems of unemployment through Career Pathways. By equipping participants with training through hands-on experience, our Career Pathways offer promising young people the opportunity to build sustainable and meaningful careers.
For more information about Tree Trust’s Career Pathways programs for young people contact our Outreach Coordinator via email or at 612-508-0292.
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