U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that three programs will be receiving funding to train Washington State workers in clean-energy industries. These awards are among the $100 million awarded nationally through the Energy Training Partnership grant awards authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and announced by U.S Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.
One of the programs, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, will be receiving $3,876,171 to train and place 473 Washington state workers in energy efficiency occupations.
“These grants will help ensure that as we continue to invest in clean energy technology that will create jobs and boost the economy, workers in Washington state have the skills and training they need to succeed,” said Senator Murray. “Washington State is at the forefront of the growing clean energy industry, and these grants will help keep our workforce strong and successful in the 21st century economy.”
“Our outstanding award recipients were selected because their proposed projects will connect workers to career pathways in green industries and occupations through diverse partnerships,” said Secretary of Labor Solis.
Local projects receiving funding:
Northwest Energy Efficiency Council: $3,876,171 — King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Clallam; Cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Bremerton.
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council will implement the Sound Energy Efficiency Development (SEED) project through a regional partnership of employers, Workforce Development Councils, labor organizations, community and technical colleges, and One-Stop Career Centers. The SEED program will provide training and job placement assistance in energy efficiency assessment occupations. Approximately 473 participants will be trained and placed in energy efficiency occupations. Participants will earn industry recognized certificates in residential energy auditing, building operator, and OSHA safety.
As chairman of the Employment and Workplace Safety subcommittee and a senior member of the committee overseeing funding for job training in the energy industry, Senator Murray worked to ensure that investments in clean-energy workforce training were included in the Recovery Act.
