Kansas awarded $6 million Recovery Act grant for green jobs

“This grant will help out-of-work Kansans re-train for new jobs in the renewable energy sector,” said Governor Mark Parkinson, who announced the award today at the 2010 Workforce Summit in Topeka. “With these new resources, made possible through the American Recovery Act, Kansas will continue its role as a leader in renewable energy, with a ready and skilled workforce.”

NAWB Training Survey Report

Three leading associations developed and disseminated the following training survey report, The Impact on Training of the American Recovery and Reconstruction Act of 2009 – the Local Level, which includes a question--#2—on WIBs’ use of Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce tool under ARRA. "Are you using Recovery Act funds to support Registered Apprenticeship opportunities through scholarships for apprentices or to support on-the-job training to employers?" That was the question put to WIBs and 30 percent responded that they are incorporating Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce strategy. The three groups collaborating on the survey were the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), who developed the survey and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), which disseminated the survey. NAWB’s Terry Bergman authored the analysis. To read the full report, click "download now" on your right.

Energy Efficiency Workforce Needs Training

The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently conducted a study of the (EESS) energy efficiency services sector workforce needs. In its’ findings, there’s a shortage of formal training programs in energy efficiency and a need for more funding to train the trainers also and is a high demand right now. This growth is in part due to the funding for energy efficiency programs both federal and state budgets through the use of American Recovery Reinvestment Act Funding.

Economic Recovery- The View from Where You Stand

Attached is the transcript of the live chat held on May 18, 2010. The chat was moderated by John Ladd, Administrator, Office of Apprenticeship & Training Administration. Read about what's happening locally around employment and apprenticeship opportunities, economic recovery and more!

Apprenticeship is key training model in Vice President Biden’s remarks at the First Meeting of the Middle Class Task Force

Earn. Learn. Succeed. (Volume 2, Issue 2)

Economic Stimulus and RA, SGA, RA Site Visit

Greening Wisconsin’s Workforce: Training, Recovery, and the Clean Energy Economy

Additional reports from COWS examining the role of apprenticeship , apprenticeship prep, and community-based training programs will be released later this year. Principles for a High Road Recovery The federal stimulus dollars now ...

Middle Class Task Force Report – Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class

Earn. Learn. Succeed. (Volume 2, Issue 4)

Secretary Solis Testifies on Green Jobs and Registered Apprenticeship. Recovery Act Update. RA Community of Practice Announced. Upcoming Regional Reemployment Forums.

Construction Apprenticeship Programs: Career Training for California’s Recovery

Executive Summary: The current economic downturn has caused vast unemployment in California's construction industry. In the year ending in June 2009, the state lost almost a fifth (18.6%) of its construction jobs, the greatest percentage among all major industries. Getting workers back on the job is crucial to getting the California economy back on its feet. Yet, increased employment is not enough for an equitable recovery. As the economy revives, new construction jobs must include middle-class career paths and training in skills for the green economy. As this report demonstrates, building trades apprenticeship programs provide the best model to keep the construction industry on the high road and provide high-quality jobs, to the benefit of the industry, the workers and the greater community.

A First of Its Kind Apprenticeship Program- Core Drilling

JUNEAU, Alaska—A first-of-its-kind apprenticeship program is delivering core driller training that will allow Alaskans to compete locally and globally in the mining industry.

Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis before U.S. Senate HELP Committee on green jobs skills training for workers

"The department has also encouraged states to expand existing training programs, such as registered apprenticeship programs , that have the potential to prepare workers for careers in the renewable energy sectors and for other green jobs ...

California Green Stimulus Coalition

Support a triple bottom line: Good green jobs will bring a triple benefit by creating economic sustainability for employees and business owners, improving the environment, and building up communities, especially those most at risk in this ... The state's community college system and State-approved apprenticeship programs are perfectly suited to help build career ladders for millions of low-income Californians.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON REDUCING SPENDING IN THE BUDGET

Mayor Bloomberg and speaker Quinn unveil package legislation

"We all have a stake in recharging our economy, but our job is to ensure that the blue collar can become green by paying decent wages and benefits that can support a family, creating a real career path with apprenticeship programs and upward mobility, and improving the environment by reducing waste and pollution," said Ahern. "Our proud public and private unionized workforce are up for the hard work of making our buildings green. The Central Labor Council looks forward to a productive and viable partnership with city hall and the real estate and construction trade industry on this historic effort."

Beshear announces over $18 million for employment, training programs

Kentucky Governor issued a press release announcing stimulus funding and mentions Registered Apprenticeship as one of the training options available through the KY One-Stop system. "One-Stop Career Center services include: career and skills assessments, resume writing and interview preparation workshops, adult education, job training, postsecondary education scholarships, academic certifications and licenses, registered apprenticeships, and career advancement and supportive services activities."

Brightening Opportunities for "Green Jobs"

Stimulus aid heats up solar training for "green jobs," reshapes lives. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet met Saturday with trainees and future business entrepreneurs who hope to reshape their lives in the expanding renewable-energy field. They are among as many as 6,000 Colorado residents who will get new "green jobs" directly or indirectly because of the $80 million that Colorado will get through the federal economic recovery act, Bennet said

What IS Right for Virginia: Perriello Bill Expanding Job Training

“Apprenticeship programs offer a tangible benefit to employers and the local economy, as well as helping veterans, and they help to create skilled workers filling the exact jobs needed in our economy...I applaud Congressman Perriello for understanding the needs of our returning troops, and working tirelessly on their behalf,” said Bill Wellman, a retired naval officer from Buckingham County and a member of Congressman Perriello’s Veterans Advisory Board.

Supervisors sign off on plan to spend $4 million to create 180 jobs

County supervisors signed off today on a plan to spend $4 million in federal stimulus funds on community outreach, youth work experience training and affordable housing projects, all of which are expected to create about 180 jobs. Projects include:a "pre-apprenticeship program" in which 60 high school juniors and seniors receive on-the-job training and mentoring for three months or longer.

As hurricane season begins, pressure builds on Congress to pass Gulf Coast Civic Works Act

Creates good ' green' jobs and provides job training. Creates 100000 good wage jobs and training opportunities for Gulf Coast residents and encourages contractors to provide opportunities for apprenticeship and on-the-job training. ...

Michigan Devotes $1M to New Apprentices

The following is a message from Andy Levin: Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth Deputy Director Andy Levin today announced that Michigan will devote $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to create the Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Pilot (MRAP) program. MRAP funds will provide incentives to employers who partner with their local Michigan Works! agencies to sponsor 1,000 new apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) registered apprenticeships.

Department of Labor Announces Apprenticeships for Youth with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and Employment and Training Administration's Office of Apprenticeship announce the availability of approximately $400,000 to fund two Registered Apprenticeship for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities cooperative agreements. Under this initiative, the grantees will conduct two pilot projects to develop models to improve systems capacity to provide inclusive Registered Apprenticeship training and pre-apprenticeship training to youth and young adults with disabilities ages 16 to 27 utilizing the increased flexibilities detailed in DOL's newly released apprenticeship regulations.

State launches program for retraining workers

In an effort to encourage more employers to create apprenticeships, the state of Michigan set aside $1 million of the stimulus money coming through its Workforce Investment Act fund to create the Michigan Registered Apprenticeship Pilot program, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth announced last month. The program is set to launch Aug. 1.

Federal Money to Help Apprenticeship Programs

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $2,212,751 to assist state apprenticeship agencies, including $100,000 to Kansas, in the development of strategies to better serve dislocated workers and other unemployed individuals through expanded partnerships with the Registered Apprenticeship system, which is administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration.

U.S. Department of Labor awards more than $2.2 million to assist dislocated workers through expanded partnerships with Registered Apprenticeship

The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2,212,751 to assist state apprenticeship agencies in the development of strategies to better serve dislocated workers and other unemployed individuals through expanded partnerships with the Registered Apprenticeship system, which is administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration. "Today's funding will help state apprenticeship agencies strengthen partnerships between the Registered Apprenticeship and the public workforce systems," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Agencies will create strategies to jointly train and prepare dislocated workers and other unemployed individuals for careers in growing industries, including those related to green technologies."

Texas Workforce Commission Expands Funds for Apprenticeship program

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has upped funding for its Apprenticeship Training Program by $1 million, bringing the total amount invested in the program to $2.6 million.