SCC wins grant to train people for green jobs

SCC wins grant to train people for green jobs
By Sarah Rohrs
Posted: 10/04/2009

FAIRFIELD -- Solano Community College students soon will be able to delve into environmental careers in green building and solar energy thanks to a $418,751 state grant awarded Friday.

The state awarded 34 recipients a total of $27 million in grants to jump start a green jobs training program called the California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program.

Under the first phase of the program, nearly 5,600 participants statewide will prepare for hands-on jobs, such as installing solar panels, maintaining electric vehicles, and researching fuel cell technologies, according to an announcement from Gov. Arnold Schwar-zenegger's office.

At Solano College, efforts will be aimed at assisting veterans and unemployed people by providing them an opportunity to begin training for careers in the clean building and clean

energy fields, college officials said.

"We are very pleased to have received this grant towards economic growth and increased employment in Solano County," SCC President Jowel Laguerre said.

The college's "Green Building Pre-Apprenticeship Training Partnership" program will provide classroom education and hands-on training in environmental literacy, green building fundamentals, retrofits and energy efficiency, and solar hot water and electricity installation and design.

The SCC classes begin in the spring semester.

Efforts to push renewable energy development, climate change reduction, clean transportation and green building are driving the state's "green job growth," Schwarzenegger said.

The Solano College grant was funded through a collaborative effort combining several sources of money from the following -- Energy Commission American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Workforce Investment Act, Assembly Bill 118 Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program funding.

The state has been able to leverage its funding for the program through public-private partnerships, according to the governor's office.

Contact staff writer Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or (707) 553-6832.