Labor's Community Agency, Inc.

What is Green Careers for Coloradans

Green Careers for Coloradans is a two-year, federal stimulus fund,  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant for $3.6 million awarded to Labor’s Community Agency, Inc., in January 2010 to provide energy training opportunities for the construction workforce to earn industry-endorsed green certifications.

Colorado’s Energy-Efficient Building, Renewable Electric Power, and Energy Efficiency Assessment industries are poised to create jobs and significantly contribute to the economic recovery of the state. This potential is due to high levels of private and public investment, a favorable political climate, public sector policies, renewable energy resources, and nationally recognized education and research facilities. In order to capitalize on this potential, Colorado must have a qualified workforce who possesses the specific green skills and certifications required by businesses. This grant will allow Colorado to capitalize on this tremendous opportunity.

Under the direction of industry businesses, Green Careers for Coloradans will align the resources and expertise of Joint Apprenticeship Programs, Community Colleges, Community-Based Organizations and the Public Workforce System to address this workforce gap. The partnership will focus on providing green training and certification opportunities for incumbent, newly trained, and unemployed construction workers for Electricians, Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, Wind Technicians and Energy Auditors positions.

Green Careers for Coloradans will connect programs and services to achieve two primary goals:

1. Provide opportunities for incumbent, newly trained, and unemployed construction workers to gain industry-endorsed green certifications that will enhance their marketability in the current economy.
2. Provide increased opportunities to enroll in registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet future projected shortages due to an aging skilled workforce.

The following innovative components will be utilized to meet the project outcomes:

• Train incumbent, unemployed and newly trained construction workers for emerging green skills and certifications
• Use regional partnerships to coordinate training schedules and provide hybrid on-line learning to maximize training opportunities for rural residents
• Utilize existing training providers, primarily from industry, with established curriculum
• Align bridge services, including mathematics and reading comprehension classes and a vehicle donation program to address employment barriers
• Enhance existing degree articulation agreements to expand career pathways for registered apprentices
• Build on existing program to increase partnership between Registered Apprenticeship, Community Colleges and Public Workforce

Contact Information:

Janet Bieringer, Project Director
Green Careers for Coloradans, Labor's Community Agency, AFL-CIO
7510 W. Mississippi Ave., Ste. 230
Lakewood, CO  80226-4570
Phone: 303-744-6169 ext. 14, Fax: 303-744-2857
Cell: 720-210-8685

E-mail: janetbieringer@laborscommunityagency.org