DOL Earmarks Nearly $190 million for Green Jobs

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has announced nearly $190 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants are designed to teach workers the skills required in emerging industries, including energy efficiency and renewable energy. This set of green grants is the third awarded in as many weeks by the U.S. Department of Labor. Less than a month into 2010, the department's investment in this growing area of the job marketplace is close to the $440 million mark.

"These grants will help workers gain access to good jobs, while supporting the sort of statewide energy efficiency strategies that play a crucial role in building the green economy of the 21st century," said Secretary Solis.

Thirty-four awards ranging from approximately $2 million to $6 million each are being made to state workforce investment boards in partnership with their state workforce agencies, local workforce investment boards or regional consortia of boards, and One-Stop Career Center delivery systems. Through the grant awards announced today, program participants will receive the technical and occupational skills necessary to obtain industry recognized credentials.

These grants are designed to achieve the following goals: 

• Create an integrated system of education, training and supportive services that promotes skill attainment and career pathway development for low-income, low-skilled workers leading to employment in green industries. 
• Support states in implementing a statewide energy sector strategy including governors' overall workforce visions, state energy policies and training activities that lead to employment in targeted industry sectors. 
• Build and strengthen partnerships dedicated to building a skilled clean energy workforce.
• Develop new partnerships with other agencies receiving Recovery Act funds to support strategic planning and implementation efforts.

These grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative – totaling $500 million – to fund workforce development projects that promote economic growth by preparing workers for careers in the energy efficiency industries. For a full listing of the grants and project descriptions, click here. To view a video by Secretary Solis, click here.

To find out more about job training opportunities available through the Department of Labor, call the National Contact Center's toll-free helpline at: 866-4-USA-DOL (487-2365) or TTY 877-889-5627.