More Than $5.8 Million Coming for Clean Energy Jobs Training in Michigan

Press release from Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Sen. Carl Levin
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both D-Mich., announced $5,819,999 in funding for clean energy jobs training across Michigan. The U.S. Department of Labor’s State Energy Sector Partnership and Training grant was made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth is the lead recipient in a consortium that includes more than a dozen state agencies, groups and corporations.

“As a champion for bringing jobs to Michigan, I am pleased that these grants will help train more Michigan workers in advanced manufacturing. We know that getting our economy back on track means supporting companies and workers with resources to create a competitive edge in the global race to manufacture clean energy technologies.

“I worked to include this funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as part of my ongoing strategy to create jobs in our state,” said Stabenow. “Michigan is a leader in innovation and manufacturing. With grants such as these, our workforce will continue to be well-prepared to make new technologies here at home.”

“As we emerge from the recession I see great opportunity for Michigan’s workers in the clean energy industry, and this grant will go to setting hundreds of our citizens on that course,” Levin said. “This grant will help get Michigan back to work and continue its leadership as a leader in clean energy and green manufacturing.”

Funds will be used to implement the state’s Green Jobs Initiative and provide training in advanced energy storage, solar industries and energy efficient construction. The initiative has two solar-focused regional project teams that will provide training on chemical processing and solar engineering and installing.

The regional project team for advanced energy storage will provide undergraduate and graduate level training in renewable electric power, as well as energy efficient and advanced drive trains across several concentrations. The energy efficient construction local project team will target growth occupations and train participants for certificates in green construction and sustainable construction.

The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth will work with the following organizations to implement the projects: the State of Michigan Council for Labor and Economic Growth, Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Utility Workers of America (AFLCIO), AARP of Michigan, Michigan Works, Michigan Economic Recovery Office, Michigan State University, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Great Lakes Bay Solar Team, Southeast Michigan Works Agencies Coalition Solar Project Team, Career Alliance Energy Efficient Construction Project Team, Southeast Michigan Works Agencies Coalition Advanced Energy Storage Project Team, ASG Renaissance, IT - Services Corporation, and Dow Corning Corporation.