DWS News

February 3, 2010

DWS Receives $4.6 million in Training Grants for Green Jobs

Salt Lake City - Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis 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.

Utah's share is $4.6 million; the grants will be administered through the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The department’s State Workforce Investment Board created the Charter for the State Energy Sector Partnership. Charter membership includes the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Utah System of Higher Education, Utah College of Applied Technology, AFL-CIO Utah, Professional Energy Organizations, CEOs of the top three energy sector employers in Utah and other energy industry representatives, business owners, employers and the Governor’s State Energy Advisor.

"These grants will help Utah workers gain access to occupations in demand and support energy efficiency strategies that support the emerging green economy,” said DWS Executive Director Kristen Cox. Spencer Eccles, Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development said, “These grants underscore the state’s commitment to developing jobs in the energy sector."

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.

This grant is 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 more information contact Curt Stewart at 801-526-4315.

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