The Future is Green
Tree Trust success stories embody our vision of a thriving workforce living on a healthy planet. This December we explored the journey of Tree Trust YouthBuild participant Chucky. Her transformation to becoming a motivated peer leader is a truly inspirational story. Chucky is currently exploring skilled trade career options and plans to graduate high school in January of 2023. We believe in what young people like Chucky can do with the support and guidance of our amazing Career Pathways staff. With ongoing growth in green industry and skilled trades jobs, the time to serve more youth is now!
Daylighting Green Careers
Chucky’s success story is a splendid example of harnessing the power of career exploration to achieve personal and professional goals. The Tree Trust hands-on learning approach including an outdoor classroom provides the space for youth to navigate different career paths without the commitment or expense of a college degree. With the support of Tree Trust staff, Chucky stepped into a world of vocational multitude. Minnesota needs more green industry and skilled trades workers. These industries offer youth sustainable employment with opportunities for career advancement.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development predicts steady growth in these industries over the next 10 years:
- 12% increase in construction manager jobs; current median wage is $101,713/year.
- 6.8% increase in tree trimmer/pruner jobs; current median wage is $44,614/year.
- 2.6% increase in landscape architect jobs; current median wage is $81,926/year.
- 1.3% increase in carpenter jobs, which includes over 21,000 projected new job openings; current median wage is $59,867/year.
Training the Workforce of Tomorrow
We know there are youth like Chucky who would benefit from our Career Pathways programs. Tree Trust aims to serve 400 youth in 2023 and plant 7,000 trees on public and private property across the Twin Cities. Please consider a donation today to help facilitate a greener tomorrow for our urban tree canopy and area youth. Your gift, of any amount, will help transform lives and landscapes!
