Outreach to Workers Aching to Go Green

Overheard on the subway in New York City: “I wish I knew how to install solar panels.”

There is a certain mystique surrounding many of the jobs that have been identified as key to helping the environment.  How does one tap into this growing industry?  How does your knowledge base translate to helping protect the Earth when you go to work in the morning.  (Or do you go to work at a different time of day if you are part of the Green Economy?)

The U.S. Department of Labor is encouraging institutions to train more people in these industries. It has announced that it will host a Green Jobs Innovation Fund competition to support opportunities for workers to receive job training in green industry sectors and occupations.

Through this competition, the department will award approximately $40 million to support five to eight grantees with awards ranging from $5 million to $8 million each. Eligible applicants will include national and statewide organizations with local affiliates that have existing career training programs and will benefit a minimum of six communities per grant.

“This grant program is an important effort in supporting green investments and equipping workers with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to succeed in green occupations,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The projects we expect to fund will enable workers to gain new skills that will make them competitive for industries and careers in demand.”

Perhaps as a recruiter, you have already experienced companies demanding employees knowledgeable in green technologies and noticed that there simply are not enough people trained in this line of work.  How do you think this fund could best reach the kinds of applicants and clients you serve?