HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the commonwealth's application for a $6 million U.S. Department of Labor State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, that would help strengthen Pennsylvania's energy sector industry partnerships and provide advanced training to more than 1,300 individuals.
"We've made great improvements in the way Pennsylvania works with students, schools, job seekers, workers and businesses to ensure education and training are in line with employers' needs," Governor Rendell said. "These efforts and our investments have helped Pennsylvania fare better than much of the nation during this recession. By making the same and similar investments in the energy sector and green jobs, we will be able harness these dynamic industries as we continue our economic recovery."
If awarded, the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board, or PA WIB, will use the grant to strengthen existing - and create new - regional green industry partnerships that bring together green businesses with overlapping skill needs. The partnerships will identify job opportunities, skill gaps and training needs; design workforce services to meet these needs; oversee selection of vendors; and monitor and report outcomes.
Additionally, the grant will help establish a Pennsylvania Center for Green Careers, modeled after the PA Center for Health Careers. The new Center for Green Careers will be a part of the PA WIB, and will conduct a program of stakeholder engagement, labor market research, workforce policy development and consensus building.
For more information about how the commonwealth is using federal Recovery Act funds to help Pennsylvania residents and businesses, visit: www.recovery.pa.gov.
Media Contacts:
Christopher S. Manlove, L&I; 717-787-7530
Barry Ciccocioppo, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
