Even though there's a downturn in construction right now, many building trades unions are using this slow spell to be proactive and find ways to provide training for members in "green skills" to build career pathways for the green economy.  The California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, (CLF) and the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California (SBCTC) are partners in an innovative project which is preparing for the green surge by Building Green Careers.

With a contract from the state Employment Training Panel, the CLF and the SBCTC have targeted the building trades that will be most affected by the green economy.  These include electricians who will set up solar power systems; plumbers who will install water-saving, environmentally friendly appliances; sheet metal workers who will service more fuel-efficient air systems; and iron workers who are installing wind turbines.  Currently, there are minimal green certifications implemented in these industries. By being strategic, and training the workers now, the Labor Federation and the Council hope to lead the green movement by having the training in place before green certification becomes required. Training is geared to journey workers, who will in turn pass on their knowledge on the job to apprentices.

AB32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, has implications for construction, energy generation, ventilation, and air conditioning businesses.  With at least five other recently enacted laws on the books that directly affect the trades and their ability to "work green," plus new technologies, and the growing interest among builders to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the curriculum focuses on three key areas as determined by employer business needs and input from union representatives.  Commercial Skills training covers energy-efficient technologies and products, along with new safety skills.  Computer Skills training includes blueprint modification, computerized systems adjustment, AutoCAD, and project planning software. Business Skills gives workers the tools to plan, organize, and manage their construction projects, team-building and leadership skills, and figuring out green solutions in traditional work environments.

The 12 JATCs participating in the project, which started in January 2009, include six IBEW locals, two from the United Association, two Cement Masons locals, one Laborers JATC, and one Plasterers program.  Besides craft-specific upgrade training, workers from participating JATCs will also attend a "Green Industry" course which touches on the impact of the green economy on their work, and how to prepare for the changes that are in store.  There's a learning component for contractors on preparing the workforce for green building projects.  A video is also in the works that features project participants telling their own stories about their green skills training, and what they see as the future of the green construction industry.

While there's a lot of talk these days about creating new green jobs, we know that green jobs are already here, and construction workers have been performing many of these jobs for decades. Green jobs aren't just in solar and wind generation, either, as we can see from the participation of the Plumbers, Cement Masons, Laborers, and Plasterers.  By leveraging the negotiated funds in the JATCs, and public funds such as ETP, our journey workers and apprentices can have a head start on making sure they're prepared for the new technologies, products and certifications that will usher in the green collar economy.

Are there similar programs in your area that leverage different sources of funds for green skills training?  How are apprentices and journey workers meeting the challenges of new green technologies and products in construction, energy generation, and other industries?