Green jobs generate hope for ex-cons

Solar Jobs for Ex-Cons

In what was widely considered a shrewd and highly necessary move by Barack Obama, a pretty significant chunk of the economic stimulus package was invested in developing America's clean energy industry.

The renewable sector's potential for creating new skilled jobs was exploited as much as possible as more traditional industries, like carmaking, began to make way in some states. In Texas for example, the oil and steel industries began to wain amidst the financial crisis but then the states wind energy manufacturing sector showed signs of life.

However there has also been another, rather surprising benefit to the advancement of the nations renewable energy sector. Finding work has been hard enough in California, which has one of the most troubled economies and highest unemployment rates in the United States, but for those with prison records things have been even tougher.

But there is hope in the form of the state's flourishing solar energy industry. Non-profit startup Homeboy Industries has proved a success in giving ex-cons a second chance by employing them to install solar panels in homes across the state.

So whereas renewable energy is giving the economic prospects of America a more positive outlook, solar energy in particular is helping to give some ex-criminals a brighter future.

Daniel Jones

Daniel is a Politics and Philosophy graduate from Cardiff University where he also worked as a section editor on the award winning student newspaper. After university he joined an IT support company where he was a B2B online writer. He loves anything to do with sport and joined GDS in July 2009.

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