Recovery Funds Target Green Jobs

July 27, 2009

Members of Governor Baldacci?s Workforce Cabinet met this week to discuss a series of grant opportunities to train workers for green jobs.

The grants will be funded by the US Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and are designed to serve workers in need of training through various national, state and community outlets: Energy Training Partnership Grants; Pathways Out of Poverty Grants; State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants; and Green Capacity Building Grants. A fifth grant will fund state workforce agencies to collect, analyze and disseminate labor market information and develop labor exchange infrastructure to direct individuals to careers in green industries.

Representatives from the Public Utilities Commission and State Planning Office joined the cabinet to discuss the grant opportunities and develop a coordinated process to ensure Maine is competitive in applying for the funds.