Labor Department Announces $500 Million in Grants for Green Jobs

Brian Severin
Posted on Friday 3rd July 2009

Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis announced a new series of grant competitions that promote green jobs. These programs will use federal stimulus money to help energy efficiency and renewable energy industries at the state and local levels, nationwide. Secretary Solis stated, "Workers receiving training through projects funded by these competitions will be at the forefront as our nation transforms the way we generate electricity, manufacture products and do business across a wide range of industries.”

The five grant competitions total $500 million, which will fund projects that prepare individuals for green jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Four the competitions are designed to train workers through various national, state and local programs: Energy Training Partnership Grants; Pathways Out of Poverty Grants; State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants; and Green Capacity Building Grants. The fifth competition will fund state workforce agencies that will collect, analyze and disseminate labor market information to help direct individuals to careers in the new green economy.

The Department of Labor is accepting grant applications now through the Fall of 2009.

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