Expansion Management

$38 Million for Green Jobs Doesn't Sound Like Enough to Me

July 22, 2011

Six organizations across the country will receive a total of $38 million from the Department of Labor, to expand green job training.

A group called Jobs for the Future, a nonprofit education and workforce development organization, will use its training expertise to help workers in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Programs will include training in repair and maintenance of alternative fuel vehicles, machine operation for green manufacturing, and green construction.

In Boston, there is a need for skilled automotive specialty technicians (ASTs), especially hybrid technicians, due to growing local sales of hybrid-electric vehicles.

In Chicago, the "re-shoring" by manufacturing firms in South Cook County, plus a major new federal grant that will boost manufacturing capacity, is driving a need for computer numerical control (CNC) machinists in small and large fabricated metal manufacturing employers.

In Detroit it's the green construction market that is growing. The need is for jobs in remodeling, framing, siding, and other building skills. This sector is expected to grow 8.7% over the next five years.

In Milwaukee the need is also for replacement automotive specialty technicians as alternative fuel vehicles are added to local employer fleets.

In Philly, it's the solar sector that is growing. Due to the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA additional jobs will be created over the next three years including in solar installation and sales.

Seattle will need new and replacement jobs for electricians. A recent Washington State Green Economy Jobs report indicates that electricians rank as the second largest green occupation with 3,784 jobs; 8% of the total green workforce.

Washington, D.C. will see a 4% growth in the construction industry over the next five years. This will require retraining existing workers in green technologies, specifically weatherization and insulation, green roof maintenance, solar panel installation, green building maintenance, green cement masonry, and helper and apprentice positions with 17 construction unions.

While this all great news and encouraging, doesn't seem like a lot of money to me.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

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Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.