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The federal government recently announced grants totaling $10 million to train workers for the growing energy industry.

 

High gas prices have prompted an even greater interest in alternative sources of energy, including nuclear energy, wind power, solar energy and ethanol. There has also been renewed interest in offshore oil drilling. This has fueled demand for workers in the field, nationwide.

 

The Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County in Santa Rose, California was awarded $500,000 in the highly competitive program.

 

US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao recently announced federal grants for 11 training projects to train workers in this high-demand field.

 

“These grants awarded under the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative will help equip workers with skills and certifications that are in demand in the energy sector,” said Secretary Chao.

 

Four percent of the nation’s gross domestic product comes from the energy industry. The field employers more than a million workers nationwide. Energy companies are expected to experience a labor shortage in the next few years, as retirees leave the field and few new employees enter it. All of the targeted programs will provide innovative training strategies for the 21^st century. Workers are needed to construct new energy facilities, install equipment, operate the facilities and repair aging systems.

 

These Department of Labor training programs in states ranging from Florida to California will focus on teaching workers skills that are in demand in the energy industries. In addition, the programs will offer students industry-recognized degrees or licenses proving a level of competence, and providing them with lucrative long-term careers.

 

“Today’s awards will address shortages of skilled workers and, more importantly, offer them the opportunity to enter good-paying jobs in this vital field, “ said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.

 

Projects that were awarded training funds include locations in 11 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The awards range from just under $400,000 to almost $1.2 million. The grants were awarded to the winners in a competition between more than 171 schools in a competition that began on January 23, 2008.

 

 

 

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