The U.S. Labor Department awarded $190 million in green-jobs training grants to 34 states as part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the department said Jan. 20.

The individual awards range from $2 million to $6 million. The grants are being issued to state workforce investment boards. The funds will be used to provide program participants with technical and occupational skills necessary to obtain industry recognized credentials in emerging green industries, including energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"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 Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

This set of green grants is the third awarded in as many weeks by the Labor Department. So far, the Labor Department has issued nearly $440 million in green-jobs grants in 2010.