While veterans as a whole have a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the nation, the 2.6 million troops who served in the years following 9/11 are having a much tougher time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), veterans 34 and under face a higher unemployment rate than civilians. The youngest (18-24 years of age) are unemployed at a rate of 20%, almost five percentage points higher than non-veterans of the same age group.
When veterans come home they often expect to continue their jobs in the military, only to find they need additional training to meet national certification requirements. In response to this issue, the Obama Administration aimed to kill two birds with one stone: provide veterans with job training and promote a clean energy future.
Green job training subsidized by federal funding has allowed veterans to gain certifications in energy efficient building analysis through the Building Performance Institute (BPI), green construction through the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), and solar installation though the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (NABCEP).