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At Portland YouthBuilders (PYB), we help low-income youth complete their high school education and provide vocational training in construction and computer technology.  On average, students in our construction program build four green, affordable homes each year. 

PYB students built their first Earth Advantage certified home in 2001, and we've continued on the path of building homes that are energy efficient and use as many green materials as possible.  PYB now works closely with the Energy Trust of Oregon to ensure that the affordable homes we build have maximum energy efficiency. 

Our students are currently in the process of building their first LEED-certified affordable home.  We feel that training students in green-building techniques and preparing students for careers in an emerging green economy will give them a competetive edge in the job market upon graduation. 

Thanks for opening up this discussion.  We look forward to hearing more about green collar jobs as this series continues.

 - Tonia Kovtunovich, Portland YouthBuilders

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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