Training Through the Green Jobs Act
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 authorized $125 million per year to create an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program. According to Greenforall.org, "The objective of the program is to identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train workers for jobs in the green industry..." Green jobs training programs and initiatives were reinforced by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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Background
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The Green Jobs Act marries America's need to produce clean energy and fight climate change with the need to provide viable employment opportunities for millions of unemployed Americas and help lift individuals out of poverty. The act provides training and employment opportunities for low-income people to access good-paying jobs and careers in the growing green economy.
The Process
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The Green Jobs Act authorizes funding. Once funding is appropriated by Congress, it flows through these programs: National Research Program; National Energy Training Partnership Grants; State Labor Market Research, Information, and Labor Exchange Research Program; State Energy Training Partnership Program; and Pathways out of Poverty Demonstration Program. Each program has a specific purpose. Generally, these programs will award competitive grants to state and local non-profit organizations that will implement the various training programs at the local and state level.
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Funded Training Programs
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According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made available approximately $750 million for a competitive grant program for worker training and placement in high-growth and emerging industries." This is in addition to the $125 million per year authorized through the Green Jobs Act of 2007. Of this $750 million, roughly $500 million is set aside for job training projects.
Considerations
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It may not be easy to find a job once trained. According to Southernstudies.org, trained students may not have jobs once they graduate from the various training programs. On the other hand, more and more green jobs employment networks are coming to fruition to help individuals find a job--such as www.greenjobs.net.
Get Trained
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Start by contacting your local workforce investment board and/or community colleges. Also, your local unemployment agency will direct you to local agencies and resources.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit RENEWABLE ENERGY image by brelsbil from Fotolia.com
