08/31/2009 GAAS:482:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Nation’s Largest State-Sponsored Green Jobs Training Program
Recovery Funds
Leveraged For $75 Million Investment To Train More Than 20,000 Clean Energy Workers
Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger today toured the Los Angeles Trade Technical College where he
announced the creation of the Clean Energy
Workforce Training Program (CEWTP), a $75 million investment establishing the
nation's largest state-sponsored green jobs training program. The program
leverages federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds,
public-private partnerships and state and local funding, to train more than 20,000
new or re-skilled clean energy workers to build a workforce capable of
performing the jobs necessary to meet the state's goals of renewable energy
development, climate change reduction, clean transportation and green building
construction for a new green economy.
"The
Clean Energy Workforce Training Program is the perfect example of how
California is utilizing federal economic stimulus dollars and public-private
partnerships to invest in our state's workforce and jumpstart our economy,"
said Governor Schwarzenegger. "By developing a highly trained workforce, ready
and capable to perform clean energy jobs, we will be able to expand our clean
energy industries and drive a strong green economy in the state. This program is
critical because it will target unemployed, underemployed and new members of
the workforce at a time when we must do everything possible to help
Californians return to work. With the nation's largest state-sponsored green
jobs training program, California is paving the way for a new economic
foundation for the 21st century, showing once again that what benefits the
environment also benefits the economy."
The
California Recovery Taskforce, in collaboration with the Green Collar Jobs Council
and the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Employment
Development Department (EDD), the Employment Training Panel and the California
Workforce Investment Board are leading this statewide partnership of state
agencies, educational institutions, local workforce investment boards,
community organizations and employers to deliver 21st century training programs
for workers with all levels of experience.
The
CEWTP targets populations of unemployed workers, particularly from the
construction sector, existing workers requiring re-skilling to prepare for
clean energy industry, low-wage workers and youth preparing to enter the
workforce. It will support regional workforce training programs at community
colleges or workforce investment boards and partnership academies in high
schools that deliver training on professional and personal skills development
for energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy and clean
transportation. This will prepare individuals for jobs as solar installers, sustainable
landscapers and water systems designers and green building designers, among
other professions.
California
is leveraging $20 million in Recovery Act funds along with $15 million from the
CEC's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, $12
million from the Public Interest Energy Research Program, $5 million in EDD
Workforce Investment Act funds and over $23 million in public-private
partnership matching funds to invest in the $75 million comprehensive program
that will train clean energy workers and educate thousands of students about
the opportunities in the clean energy sector.
The Los Angeles Trade Techical College has a curriculum of green-related courses and programs that range from alternative fuels and emissions reduction to a Supply Water Technology Associate in Science degree. Currently, the college has 52 green-integrated courses and 4 green-related degree and certificate programs in career-technical, science, health, and liberal arts programs. The school is eligible to apply for the CWETP funds and is uniquely positioned to do well in the application process because of its strong commitment to preparing students for clean jobs.
The first solicitation for proposals from this program was released August 6. Regional training partnerships can apply for $46 million in regional workforce development programs: $23 million in Recovery Act and state funding and $23 million in matching funds from public-private partnerships. Proposals are due September 16. Information about the solicitation process is available on the CEC's Green Jobs website: www.energy.ca.gov/greenjobs.
The Governor has shown leadership and demonstrated a commitment to developing the state's green workforce. The Governor has:
- Launched the California Green Jobs Corps, an initiative to build up communities and the state's green workforce by placing at-risk young adults aged 16-24 into jobs in California's emerging green economy.
- Signed AB 118 by Former Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) which established the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program which is helping to fund CEWTP.
