Gov. Gregoire announces Recovery Act grants to train workers for clean energy economy

For Immediate Release: January 6, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced more than $13 million in Recovery Act grants that will help Washington state prepare workers to enter the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, as well as clean-energy occupations within other industries.

�I am confident that the clean-energy sector will be a huge source of jobs in the years to come. Washington is already a global leader in clean energy,� Gregoire said. �This funding allows us to train an even larger workforce for this emerging industry and will increase our competitiveness in the global race for clean energy alternatives.�

The funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Labor � which is distributing $100 million in Energy Training Partnership grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Recovery Act includes $500 million in green jobs training programs.

�Our outstanding award recipients were selected because their proposed projects will connect workers to career pathways in green industries and occupations through diverse partnerships,� said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

The following recipients have received funding to help train workers in Washington state:

� Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, $3.87 million; NEEC will utilize this funding for the Sound Energy Efficiency Development project � which will train and place participants in energy efficiency assessment occupations. Approximately 473 participants will be trained through this funding.

� Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, $5 million; This project will help build a skilled workforce in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon to support companies that generate power, and assist local manufacturers in retooling their workforce. Approximately 1,670 participants will complete education and training, and it�s anticipated that 1,325 participants will receive a degree or certificate.

� H-CAP, Inc., $4.63 million; H-CAP will use this grant to provide training for workers in Washington state, California, Maryland, New York and the District of Columbia. Participants will be trained in the new and emerging green occupations in the health care industry. Nationwide, approximately 3,000 job seekers will receive training. In addition, H-CAP will also evaluate the environmental impact of the project in terms of reductions in energy, pollution, waste and water usage as a result of new cleaning methods.

The Department of Labor awarded grants to workforce development projects that focused on connecting target populations to career pathways in green industries. The Department also was interested in projects that contribute to our understanding of green industries and jobs that clean and enhance the environment.

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Washington State is administering the federal Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site (www.recovery.wa.gov) enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Barack Obama has appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee all states' recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.