For Immediate Release – September 10th, 2024
Contact: Will Eley, Green Jobs Program Manager,
Piedmont Environmental Alliance / will@peanc.org / 334 462 0663
Triad’s first Green Economy Career Expo coming to Winston-Salem on Sept. 19th
Winston-Salem, NC – Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA) is organizing the Triad region’s first green-economy focused career fair with its Green Career Expo, taking place on Thursday, September 19th from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm at Project Space 411 (411 W. 4th St.) in Downtown Winston-Salem.
Dozens of area employers and sustainability leaders will be on hand to help students and early-to-mid career professionals learn about rapidly growing environmental job opportunities. From careers in clean energy and the technical trades, to public service, environmental justice and beyond, the event will connect local job-seekers with career pathways that are responsive to some of the region’s most pressing economic, environmental, and public health needs. The event is free and open to the community.
“It’s about finding and creating jobs that match the work that needs doing,” said Will Eley, Green Jobs Program Manager at Piedmont Environmental Alliance. “Since the passage of The Inflation Reduction Act–the biggest investment in climate action in history–North Carolina has seen nearly $30B in clean energy related investment from the public and private sectors. This is all translating into thousands of new, good-paying green jobs and an economy that is more just, resilient, and environmentally sustainable. We want to keep this momentum going.”
PEA is particularly grateful to partner-sponsors for their financial and programmatic support of this Expo: The City of Winston-Salem; Goler Community Development Corporation and its TechCareers program; Renu Energy Solutions; Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC; Solar Crowdsource; and UNC Greensboro’s Environment & Sustainability Program.
The 2024 Green Career Expo is part of PEA’s Triad Green Job Center, an effort launched in September of 2023 to better connect values-driven students and early-to-mid-career professionals with the knowledge, inspiration, and networks they need to find their green career pathways.
From Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC: “As PEA’s 2023 Green Business of the Year, Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC is happy to be alongside other businesses that share similar values around sustainability. At the Green Career Expo, we are excited to connect with individuals who desire a career that emulates our passion for sustainability.”
From UNC Greensboro: “UNC Greensboro is especially fortunate to have PEA's support in cultivating green career pathways for our graduates and community. Our students are particularly concerned about climate change and the future for themselves and their families in the Piedmont. They are also clamoring for career opportunities. Meanwhile, employers seek sustainability talent – and we have it to offer. As educators and students, we’re proud to sponsor the Green Career Expo!”
From Solar Crowdsource: “In our work organizing Solarize the Triad along with local community partners, Solar Crowdsource has had the honor of supporting local clean energy industries and workforce development programs. Solar CrowdSource is excited to support the Green Career Expo and speak to the next generation of professionals leading the transition to renewable energy!”
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Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA) is a Winston-Salem based nonprofit that is committed to a more just, resilient, and environmentally sustainable Piedmont Triad. Since its founding twenty years ago, PEA has been effecting change by educating and empowering students, convening diverse groups of community stakeholders and leaders, and influencing elected officials on the most pressing environmental and climate justice imperatives. Learn more about PEA’s work at peacnc.org