05/01/2009 GAAS:211:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces $10 Million Recovery Act Funding Now Available Through Green Jobs Corps Grant Competition
Governor's Green Jobs Corps to Help State Economy, At-Risk Youth and Green Industries
Pushing American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding into the California economy quickly and
with accountability and transparency, the California Recovery Task Force today
announced the availability of up to $10 million in Recovery Act funding for job
training grants within the Governor's newly created California Green Jobs Corps.
"We are pumping Recovery Act
Funds into our economy as quickly and effectively as possible while also
helping ensure we build a qualified workforce to meet the needs of our
expanding green industries," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I strongly
encourage employers and local governments to connect with their local Workforce
Investment Board, community colleges and community based organizations to take
an active role in securing and putting this funding to work to stimulate our
economy and help at-risk youth train for promising careers in green
industries."
Launched in early March, the
initial phase of the Governor's California Green Jobs Corps will place at least
1,000 at-risk youth ages 16 through 24 into green jobs over the next 20 months.
Investing at least $10 million in Recovery Act
funding and $10 million from public-private partnerships, the program will
consist of a minimum of 10 regional Green Job Corps throughout the state - with
at least one located in each of California's nine economic
regions.
Through a Solicitation
for Proposal (SFP) process that begins May 1, 2009, local Workforce Investment
Boards and Community Colleges can apply for the grants, with each applicant
eligible to apply for a maximum of $1 million per application. All proposals
must be received by California's Employment Development Department no later
than 3 p.m. on May 26, 2009. For further information regarding this SFP
including eligibility and selection criteria, please click here.
California is projected to need
tens of thousands of additional workers to fulfill current and future green
occupations in various industries. Green jobs can be found across all industry
sectors, but frequently exist in eco-friendly industries like those generating
or storing renewable energy (solar, wind and water); dealing with recycling
existing materials (recycling processers, wastewater plant and environmental
cleanup); and dealing with energy efficient products (weatherization, solar
panels and dual pained windows). Green Jobs Corps recruits will train for
technical, construction and other skilled jobs, complete community service
while training and receive job placement assistance.
Governor
Schwarzenegger created the California Recovery Task Force to track the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding coming into the state; work with
President Barack Obama's administration; help cities, counties, non-profits and
others access the available funding; ensure that the funding funneled through
the state is spent efficiently and effectively; and maintain a Web site that is
frequently and thoroughly updated for Californians to be able to track the
stimulus dollars.
The Task Force can be reached through its Web site, www.recovery.ca.gov,
or by telephone at (916) 322-4688.
