The Labor Department revealed on Wednesday that it will make available $100 million in job training grants for the green sector. These grants are funded by the $787 billion stimulus bill and will support training programs to help workers find jobs while expanding green industries.
About the Grants
The grants will be divided up among states in need and will provide training to dislocated workers and especially veterans, African Americans, Latinos and women. Also, $28 million of the grant funds will be used to support projects in communities that were hit by auto industry downsizing. Many of the workers will be retrained to more easily find jobs in wind, solar and to help develop hybrid and electric vehicles.
States Receiving Grants
Here are a few states receiving grant money:
- Delaware: Fisker Automotive, Inc. is expected to create 2,000 auto jobs by 2014 thanks to training programs granted by a $529 million Energy Department retooling loan.
- Missouri: $3.2 million was granted to St. Charles and St. Louis counties to train veterans, ex-offenders, disabled people and women for work.
- California: California (along with Massachusetts and New Jersey) will receive its share of a $5 million Utility Workers Union of American grant, as well as a $2 million National Ironworkers and Employers Apprenticeship Training grant (along with Illinois, New York, Texas and Utah). The first grant will help women, minorities, older and younger workers. The second grant will help workers impacted by auto industry downsizing.
Will the Grants Make a Difference?
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said the investment will help American workers succeed while making a difference in the environment. Solis also noted that the investment will help the United States better compete with China and India.
Solis expressed hope that the energy sector will see some much-need growth. She also hopes that at the very least, the training programs will create some growth in auto employment. This is especially important as industry sales start to rebound.
Do you think green jobs will help our economy?