Gem State to receive greenbacks for green jobs

By :EXPRESS STAFF

According to a recent statement, the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Idaho nearly $6 million to prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency, renewable energy and other "green" occupations.
Idaho was one of 34 states to receive grants from the $190 million earmarked in last year's economic stimulus package to expand the nation's labor pool with the skills needed by emerging industries like renewable and efficient energy.

"This grant will give Idaho workers access to training in green industries that will lead to career-path jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy. These workers will have jobs skills that support our integrated plan to meet the state's power demands while protecting the health and safety of Idahoans and conserving our natural resources," Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter said.

Under the grant, the Idaho Department of Labor will join with the state's professional-technical educators, its colleges, the Idaho National Laboratory, the AFL-CIO and the federal Office of Apprenticeship to provide training for hundreds of veterans, dislocated workers, low-skilled adults and youths and other groups.

In addition, the organizations involved will provide over $1.8 million in additional resources for the project.

Much of the grant will finance equipment and other components for worker training in green occupations. Over the course of the project, existing post-secondary and secondary curricula will be upgraded to provide training for energy efficient and renewable energy industries. The state will also strengthen its dual-credit program where high school students can earn post-secondary credits before graduation to the point of creating sustainable training programs that better prepare people for careers in so-called green jobs.

Supporting this effort will be the result of a $1.25 million federal grant awarded to the Idaho Department of Labor to develop detailed information on the current and future potential for Idaho jobs in power and energy and especially in efficient and renewable energy.