The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced nearly $55 million in green jobs grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The grants will support job training and labor market information programs to help workers, many in underserved communities, find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations.
The two categories of grant awards are state labor market information improvement grants and green capacity building grants. Both will be administered by the DOL's employment and training administration.
Green capacity building grants, totaling $5.8 million, will increase the training capacity of 62 current DOL grant recipients through a variety of strategies and will offer training opportunities to help individuals acquire jobs in expanding green industries. These grants will help serve underserved communities. Targeted communities include Native Americans, women, at-risk youth and farm workers.
State labor market information improvement grants, totaling $48.8 million, will support the collection and dissemination of labor market information, and will enhance the labor exchange infrastructure to provide career opportunities within renewable energy industries.
Grant recipients will be able to employ strategies that enable job seekers to connect with green job banks and help ensure that workers find employment after completing training.
The grants are part of larger ARRA funding, totaling $500 million, for green jobs training grants designed to promote economic growth. The DOL expects to release funding for additional grants over the next several months.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor
