Efficiency First

Federally funded education, training and employment programs to promote green-collar job development 

While investments in clean energy will provide the economic stimulus necessary to create sustainable green-collar jobs for American workers, we also need effective career development programs in place to build a qualified workforce to fill those new jobs. In its June-July Washington Update newsletter, The Workforce Alliance (

Establishing a Clean Energy Curriculum Development Grant program, which would provide competitive grants to partnerships of local educational agencies, higher education institutions, and representatives of the business and labor communities to develop programs of study in such fields as clean energy, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. (Sec. 421)

Boosting the authorized annual funding level for activities under the Green Jobs Act from $125 million to $150 million, and establishes an “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Fund” at the Department of Treasury. The new fund will receive 0.75 percent of the proceeds for auctioned emission allowances in 2012 and 2013, which may equal as much as $860 million. (Sec. 422)

Supporting the development of an online information and resources clearinghouse for vocational education and job training in renewable energy sectors, to be administered by the Department of Labor in consultation with the Departments of Energy and Education. (Sec. 423)

Establishing a three-year Green Construction Careers Demonstration Project to promote access and employment in the green construction sector for targeted populations, including individuals eligible to receive the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, displaced homemakers, and individuals residing in low-income households and communities. The Secretary of Labor would be authorized to establish minimum proportions of hours on federally supported construction projects to be worked by targeted individuals, and could require the use of project labor agreements on construction projects over $25 million.

Creating a Climate Change Worker Adjustment Assistance program – similar to the current Trade Adjustment Assistance program – for workers adversely affected by changes in federal climate policy. Covered workers would be eligible to receive a broad range of benefits, including job training, employment services, and income support. The program will be funded through the auction of 0.5 percent of emission allowances in years 2012-2021, and 1 percent of emission allowances in years 2022-2050. (Secs. 425, 426, 427).

The Workforce Alliance describes these new employment opportunities as “middle-skill jobs or lower-skill jobs with significant possibilities for career advancement.”

###

www.workforcealliance.org) offered a concise summary of major workforce development initiatives included in the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act: