Green Careers for Coloradans Successfully Completed
Green Careers for Coloradans Successfully Completed
Green Careers for Coloradans (GCC), a federal stimulus fund, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Energy Training Partnership $3.6 million grant awarded to Labor’s Community Agency, Inc., by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, began in January 2010 and ended March 31, 2012 has exceeded each of the seven number-specific outcomes set forth in the grant to provide green energy training opportunities to Colorado construction workers.
For example, 2,400+ incumbent, underemployed or unemployed Colorado construction workers have enhanced their marketability by successfully completing green skills training and industry-endorsed green certifications as a result of opportunities provided by the GCC grant.
GCC grant partners are especially proud that despite the challenges of Colorado’s construction sector job situation, over 900 grant participants who are in unsubsidized employment have retained an employed status the first and second quarter following training.
Labor’s Community Agency’s lead partners in the GCC grant have been the Denver Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, FRESC Good Jobs Strong Communities, Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68, Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council, Mountain States Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Denver Office of Economic Development Workforce Division, with key grant partners such as International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology, Community College of Denver , the Associated General Contractors of Colorado, Advanced Energy Systems, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and Quinntas Renewable Energy. Each group has made important contributions to the success of the grant.
Furthermore, over 40 strong, diverse entities representing Colorado’s educational and training communities, community based organizations, industry, labor, the Colorado workforce system, and the U.S. Department of Labor have participated in the GCC grant as vital, active partners.
An important goal of the GCC grant has been to provide increased access to registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet industry projected shortages due to an aging, skilled workforce. GCC grant partner, the Colorado Apprenticeship Action Team, sponsored by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, is charged with energizing the partnerships between Registered Apprenticeship programs, the Colorado workforce system (state and local), and high schools. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Colorado Office of Apprenticeship has served as a valued GCC partner and resource member of the Colorado Apprenticeship Action Team.
In addition, an on-going accomplishment is in place to provide a gateway from high school or postsecondary to a Building Trades registered apprenticeship program: the GCC grant facilitated the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council’s successful efforts to establish the Building Trades Multi-Craft Core Curriculum program at the Emily Griffith Technical College (formerly the Emily Griffith Opportunity School).
What is Green Careers for Coloradans
Green Careers for Coloradans is a two-year, federal stimulus fund, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant for $3.6 million awarded to Labor’s Community Agency, Inc., in January 2010 to provide energy training opportunities for the construction workforce to earn industry-endorsed green certifications.
Colorado’s Energy-Efficient Building, Renewable Electric Power, and Energy Efficiency Assessment industries are poised to create jobs and significantly contribute to the economic recovery of the state. This potential is due to high levels of private and public investment, a favorable political climate, public sector policies, renewable energy resources, and nationally recognized education and research facilities. In order to capitalize on this potential, Colorado must have a qualified workforce who possesses the specific green skills and certifications required by businesses. This grant will allow Colorado to capitalize on this tremendous opportunity.
Under the direction of industry businesses, Green Careers for Coloradans will align the resources and expertise of Joint Apprenticeship Programs, Community Colleges, Community-Based Organizations and the Public Workforce System to address this workforce gap. The partnership will focus on providing green training and certification opportunities for incumbent, newly trained, and unemployed construction workers for Electricians, Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, Wind Technicians and Energy Auditors positions.
Green Careers for Coloradans will connect programs and services to achieve two primary goals:
- Provide opportunities for incumbent, newly trained, and unemployed construction workers to gain industry-endorsed green certifications that will enhance their marketability in the current economy.
- Provide increased opportunities to enroll in registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet future projected shortages due to an aging skilled workforce.
The following innovative components will be utilized to meet the project outcomes:
- Train incumbent, unemployed and newly trained construction workers for emerging green skills and certifications
- Use regional partnerships to coordinate training schedules and provide hybrid on-line learning to maximize training opportunities for rural residents
- Utilize existing training providers, primarily from industry, with established curriculum
- Align bridge services, including mathematics and reading comprehension classes and a vehicle donation program to address employment barriers
- Enhance existing degree articulation agreements to expand career pathways for registered apprentices
- Build on existing program to increase partnership between Registered Apprenticeship, Community Colleges and Public Workforce