Funds will help train out-of-work Kentuckians in skills vital to emerging green industries
FRANKFORT, Ky. – As a result of a multi-cabinet collaboration, Kentucky has been awarded a $4,740,457 State Energy Sector Partnership and Training grant by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Funds will be used to teach more than 600 Kentuckians the skills required in emerging green industries including energy efficiency and renewable energy.
“This grant will provide valuable education and job training for Kentuckians in emerging green industries during a time of high unemployment,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “In addition, this investment in Kentucky’s workforce will help position our state for the new high-growth jobs of the 21st century and make us a leader in the development of future green jobs.”
The competitive grant is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will be administered through Kentucky’s Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Other cabinet partners are the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Labor Cabinet and the Cabinet for Economic Development.
Through the grant, Kentucky will focus on jobs in energy-efficient building, construction and retrofit, energy efficiency assessment, and renewable energy. Participants in the Cumberland and West Kentucky Workforce Investment Areas who are dislocated workers, unemployed individuals, out-of-school youth and veterans will have the opportunity to earn degrees and industry-recognized certification in green job industries including energy assessment, Smart Grid technology, chemical engineering, plumbing and pipefitting.
“We appreciate the hard work of all of the stakeholders involved in bringing this grant money to the Commonwealth,” said Joseph U. Meyer, acting secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. “As Kentucky begins to implement long-term energy solutions, new skills and competencies are necessary to ensure a green workforce is available. Preparing a workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the growing energy efficiency and renewable energy fields will help Kentucky build a sound economic development foundation for future jobs in these industries.”
To develop the grant application and oversee its implementation, The Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) established the Kentucky Energy Sector Partnership. This partnership includes representatives of the five partnering Cabinets, the KWIB, Local Workforce Investment Boards, the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, One-Stop Career Centers, the energy industry, labor organizations, state apprenticeship agencies, nonprofit community organizations, the education and training community, veterans agencies, economic development organizations, area development districts and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
The State Energy Sector Partnership and Training grants total $190 million of the $500 million in green jobs training grant funding made available by ARRA. USDOL awarded grants to 34 states ranging from about $2 million to $6 million each. The funds are going 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.
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