There is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing a quality training program aligned to both employer and learner needs. Individuals we interviewed emphasized the importance of the content drivers we’ve outlined in this resource—Labor Market Trends, Market Viability, Training Viability, and Community Impact—for making programs relevant.  

Training providers can lead not just by teaching new skills but also by shaping a new vision of what green work can be: resilient, inclusive, and rooted in community. 

This type of culturally relevant and highly localized work requires deep collaboration among educators, workforce practitioners, and businesses to: 

• Maintain open channels for community members, learners, and workers to contribute  
• Develop strong communication norms to iteratively co-develop training aligned with emerging green technologies and industry needs 
• Take advantage of shared infrastructure, such as training facilities and equipment, to maximize impact and reduce costs, and actively look for additional opportunities to maximize resources. 
• Avoid duplication of efforts—or ensure that duplication is strategic and additive. 
• Create applied learning opportunities, such as internships or project-based learning, that connect learners directly to green employers and current job opportunities. 
• Participate in joint advocacy efforts that elevate the role of training and help secure private- and public-sector investments in green technologies, workforce training initiatives, and economic development efforts that benefit everyone.  

By embracing a mindset of collaboration and of stewardship—of people, resources, and opportunities—training organizations and their regional partners can ensure that their communities and industries are not only prepared for the green economy but also positioned to thrive within it.