Labor Department Provides Grant Money for Clean Energy Jobs

As part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) received $500 million to fund workforce development projects that would prepare workers for careers in clean energy industries. In three announcements made in January 2010, DOL named recipients of grants totaling close to $440 million.

On January 6, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced nearly $100 million for Energy Training Partnership Grants . These training grants support programs aimed at helping dislocated workers and others, including veterans, women, African Americans and Latinos, find jobs in expanding green industries. Approximately $28 million of the funds are slated to support projects in communities impacted by auto industry restructuring. In announcing the grants, Secretary Solis, emphasized the Obama administration’s “long-term commitment to fostering both immediate economic revitalization and a clean energy future.”

Secretary Solis later announced $150 million in green jobs training grants for the "Pathways Out of Poverty" program, which helps disadvantaged populations move toward economic self-sufficiency through employment in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Through 38 grants awards announced on January 13, targeted populations will receive: recruitment and referral services; basic skills, work-readiness and occupational skills training; supportive services to help overcome barriers to employment; and other services. "Green jobs present tremendous opportunities for people who have the core skills and competencies needed in such well-paying and rapidly growing industries as energy efficiency and renewable energy," Secretary Solis noted.

The most recent funding announcement came on January 20, when Secretary Solis announced nearly $190 million in green jobs training funds to be distributed through the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants. The grants are designed to teach workers the skills required in emerging industries, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, and earn industry-recognized credentials. Thirty-four awards ranging from approximately $2 million to $6 million each are being made to state workforce investment boards in partnership with their state workforce agencies, local workforce investment boards or regional consortia of boards, and One-Stop Career Center delivery systems. "These grants will help workers gain access to good jobs, while supporting the sort of statewide energy efficiency strategies that play a crucial role in building the green economy of the 21st century," said Secretary Solis.

For a full listing of the grants and project descriptions, visit http://www.doleta.gov/pdf/SESP_Summaries.pdf .

For more information on the potential for clean energy industries to employ millions of Americans, please see EESI's Congressional briefing from October 2009.