Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
f you have a question that is not answered, please contact us for assistance.
- Did you take current offenders?
- Was there an age limit?
- How long did the program take?
- How long were the classes?
- Why was this program only offered to particular northeast neighborhoods of Denver?
- I am homeless and do not have proof of residency. How could I show residency if I did not have any?
- Did you offer any classes in asbestos training?
- I have a Bachelors degree in the green the industry. Was this program for me?
- Were the orientations only on Mondays? I couldn't attend. Could I have come in another time?
- I have physical limitations. Was I still eligible for this program? Could I do this type of work with physical limitations?
- I have learning disabilities. Would I have been able to do this program?
- Was there guaranteed job placement?
- How much do the jobs pay and is there a demand for this type of work?
Did you take current offenders?
Yes, we did accept offenders, both past and current, into the program. Our intake process did have a screening process so your client services manager was looking at your background, skill set, test scores and drug screen results to determine your fit for the program. Felony offenders could still find success in the green jobs path; the exceptions to this were in cases such as the BPI Certification and other programs/job fields in which residential work is done. It was not recommended that ex-offenders attend the Fundamentals of Energy Efficiency and BPI courses since the jobs in these fields are independent positions and there is no supervisor on-site in residential homes.
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Was there an age limit?
The Denver Green Jobs Initiative program was for adults, 18+.
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How long did the program take?
Depending on your career path, the program could be completed within a four- to seven-week time frame, sometimes less and sometimes longer.
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How long were the classes?
Most classes ran one to two weeks in length, and would vary during business hours of operation (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). OSHA 10 classes were two days in length.
[Return to top]
Why was this program only offered to particular northeast neighborhoods in Denver?
The Denver Green Jobs Initiative was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Pathways out of Poverty Grant program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grant, as it was originally written and submitted, was to service the disadvantaged population of Denver's 80205 zip code. In 2011, the program's area of service was expanded to include other northeast Denver neighborhoods (see the Eligibility Criteria page for a complete list of neighborhoods). The program could only work within the limits of the scope of service and funding per approval from the Department of Labor.
[Return to top]
I am homeless and do not have proof of residency. How could I show residency if I did not have any?
If you were homeless and residing in shelters, you may have applied for the program by using the address of your shelter.
[Return to top]
Did you offer any classes in asbestos training?
Yes, we did.
[Return to top]
I have a Bachelors degree in the green the industry. Was this program for me?
Depending on your degree and what you would have liked to do in the green industry, this program may or may not have been of interest to you. We did, however, offer nationally recognized certifications in BPI (energy efficiency) and NABCEP (solar) that may be a great asset to those with degrees. This program, however, was intended for those with limited, or no, training.
[Return to top]
Were the orientations only on Mondays? I could not attend. Could I have come in another time?
Orientations for new applicants were every Monday at 12:30 - 5 p.m. Our client services department was here every business day to assist you if you could not make an orientation and would have liked to learn more and apply for the program. Keep in mind that our classes did take place on Mondays, so if you had scheduling conflicts on an ongoing basis, that would have needed to be addressed before program entry.
[Return to top]
I have physical limitations. Was I still eligible for this program? Could I do this type of work with physical limitations?
A great deal of the training offered was for blue-collar jobs like energy auditing and solar installation, which wouldn't be feasible for those with physical limitations. However, we also offered paths in project administration as well as sales and customer service, which anyone of any physical capacity could take to enter a career path in the industry, so there were other options for career paths if you have physical limitations.
[Return to top]
I have learning disabilities. Would I be able to do this program?
Yes, while it may take more effort and hard work, you could have still succeeded in this program if you have learning disabilities. Your client services manager would have also provided you with resources to help you succeed.
[Return to top]
Was there guaranteed job placement?
While the Denver Green Jobs Initiative aspired to place as many of its graduates as possible into jobs with the job placement assistance we offered, we could not guarantee anyone a job.
[Return to top]
How much do the jobs pay and is there a demand for this type of work?
The burgeoning green industry is new and exciting. A great deal of the jobs are in construction and energy efficiency; and solar and wind are increasingly becoming more popular. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has information about the industry and is currently gathering research and statistics about the green jobs industry, which you can find here. The salaries and demands for each job vary greatly. Retail sales professionals' mean income for 2009 was a little more than $20,000 a year, while energy auditors' mean income for 2009 was a little over $60,000. O*NET's website is a great resource to explore and find more information about green careers and their income potential.
[Return to top]
Yes, we did accept offenders, both past and current, into the program. Our intake process did have a screening process so your client services manager was looking at your background, skill set, test scores and drug screen results to determine your fit for the program. Felony offenders could still find success in the green jobs path; the exceptions to this were in cases such as the BPI Certification and other programs/job fields in which residential work is done. It was not recommended that ex-offenders attend the Fundamentals of Energy Efficiency and BPI courses since the jobs in these fields are independent positions and there is no supervisor on-site in residential homes.
[Return to top]
Was there an age limit?
The Denver Green Jobs Initiative program was for adults, 18+.
[Return to top]
How long did the program take?
Depending on your career path, the program could be completed within a four- to seven-week time frame, sometimes less and sometimes longer.
[Return to top]
How long were the classes?
Most classes ran one to two weeks in length, and would vary during business hours of operation (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). OSHA 10 classes were two days in length.
[Return to top]
Why was this program only offered to particular northeast neighborhoods in Denver?
The Denver Green Jobs Initiative was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Pathways out of Poverty Grant program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grant, as it was originally written and submitted, was to service the disadvantaged population of Denver's 80205 zip code. In 2011, the program's area of service was expanded to include other northeast Denver neighborhoods (see the Eligibility Criteria page for a complete list of neighborhoods). The program could only work within the limits of the scope of service and funding per approval from the Department of Labor.
[Return to top]
I am homeless and do not have proof of residency. How could I show residency if I did not have any?
If you were homeless and residing in shelters, you may have applied for the program by using the address of your shelter.
[Return to top]
Did you offer any classes in asbestos training?
Yes, we did.
[Return to top]
I have a Bachelors degree in the green the industry. Was this program for me?
Depending on your degree and what you would have liked to do in the green industry, this program may or may not have been of interest to you. We did, however, offer nationally recognized certifications in BPI (energy efficiency) and NABCEP (solar) that may be a great asset to those with degrees. This program, however, was intended for those with limited, or no, training.
[Return to top]
Were the orientations only on Mondays? I could not attend. Could I have come in another time?
Orientations for new applicants were every Monday at 12:30 - 5 p.m. Our client services department was here every business day to assist you if you could not make an orientation and would have liked to learn more and apply for the program. Keep in mind that our classes did take place on Mondays, so if you had scheduling conflicts on an ongoing basis, that would have needed to be addressed before program entry.
[Return to top]
I have physical limitations. Was I still eligible for this program? Could I do this type of work with physical limitations?
A great deal of the training offered was for blue-collar jobs like energy auditing and solar installation, which wouldn't be feasible for those with physical limitations. However, we also offered paths in project administration as well as sales and customer service, which anyone of any physical capacity could take to enter a career path in the industry, so there were other options for career paths if you have physical limitations.
[Return to top]
I have learning disabilities. Would I be able to do this program?
Yes, while it may take more effort and hard work, you could have still succeeded in this program if you have learning disabilities. Your client services manager would have also provided you with resources to help you succeed.
[Return to top]
Was there guaranteed job placement?
While the Denver Green Jobs Initiative aspired to place as many of its graduates as possible into jobs with the job placement assistance we offered, we could not guarantee anyone a job.
[Return to top]
How much do the jobs pay and is there a demand for this type of work?
The burgeoning green industry is new and exciting. A great deal of the jobs are in construction and energy efficiency; and solar and wind are increasingly becoming more popular. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has information about the industry and is currently gathering research and statistics about the green jobs industry, which you can find here. The salaries and demands for each job vary greatly. Retail sales professionals' mean income for 2009 was a little more than $20,000 a year, while energy auditors' mean income for 2009 was a little over $60,000. O*NET's website is a great resource to explore and find more information about green careers and their income potential.
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