California Green Jobs for a Clean Energy Economy
What do an auto mechanic, a college student, and a construction worker have in common? Green jobs. Millions of federal stimulus and state dollars are being invested to develop a clean energy workforce for California.

Demand is growing for employees who have skills in the clean technology arenas including energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation.

From hands-on jobs such as installing solar panels and maintaining electric vehicles to computer programming and researching fuel cell technologies, California's job landscape is poised to grow a low-carbon, clean energy economy.

The California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program
Almost $75 million will be invested in the Clean Energy Workforce Training Program to create a well-trained workforce capable of filling the jobs necessary to promote renewable energy development, climate change strategies, vehicle fuel technology and green buildings.

The California Energy Commission, the California Employment Development Department, the Employment Training Panel, and the California Workforce Investment Board, in collaboration with The Green Collar Jobs Council, are leading a statewide partnership of state agencies, educational institutions, local workforce investment boards, community organizations and employers to deliver 21st century training programs for workers with all levels of experience.

This collaborative effort combines funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the State Energy Program (SEP), the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program established by AB 118 (Núñez, Chapter 750, Statutes of 2007), Workforce Investment Act Governor's Discretionary funds, and private and local funds to create what's believed to be the nation's largest green job workforce development program.

Solicitations and Awards

$27 Million Investment kicks off California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced grant awards for the California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program (CEWTP). Thirty four local workforce investment boards (LWIBs) and community colleges, will receive $27 million in workforce training funds offered by Employment Development Department, the Workforce Investment Board and the California Energy Commission through a solicitation for proposals.

The CEWTP is the largest state-sponsored green jobs training program in the nation. The selected LWIBs and community colleges will lead regional workforce training partnerships around the state that will train approximately 5,600 workers for jobs in clean energy. The program will focus on occupations in energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy (distributed generation and utility-scale), and alternative and renewable transportation technologies. Funding will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the federal Workforce Investment Act as well as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.

• List of 34 Awardees and Project Summaries (PDF file)
• Governor's News Release

Meetings

• See meetings link in left-hand column for meeting agendas, presentations, audio recordings of the meetings, and more information.

Resources

• Reports and Studies on Green Jobs

Looking For a Green Job?

If you are looking for a green job, start by contacting your local workforce investment board or community college. Thirty-four local workforce investment boards and colleges received $27 million to provide clean energy training programs. Link to the list of 34: www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/pubs/wiasfp09-2Awards.pdf (PDF file).

Regional Opportunity Programs (ROP) or the Green Job Corps program (for young adults) offer a variety of skills training. Your local workforce investment board can help you find this information. To find your local board, go to www.cwib.ca.gov/local_boards

Your local community college may offer additional green training programs. To find a college near you, go to www.cccco.edu/CommunityColleges/tabid/830/Default.aspx. Check the class schedule or make an appointment with a career counselor.

For more information on jobs training, go to the: Employment Development Departmnet (www.edd.ca.gov)

Also check out Employment Training Panel at: www.etp.ca.gov/docs/training.pdf (PDF file).

Good luck with your search!