NJ Gov. on green jobs

Governor Corzine encourages nonprofits and unions to apply for federal green job training funding

July 8, 2009 -- TRENTON - Eligible nonprofit organizations, labor unions, faith- and community-based entities have until September 2009 to submit their applications for funding opportunities from two energy training grant programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine announced today.

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"Funding from these federal Recovery Act grants can help New Jersey's workforce get good jobs in the new green economy," said Governor Corzine. "I encourage all eligible entities in the state to apply for these opportunities to help workers train for these green jobs."

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the availability of $250 million in discretionary grants for projects funded though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to prepare workers for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors, through two separate federal grant solicitations available to nonprofits, labor unions, and faith- and community-based entities.

Through federal Energy Training Partnership Grants, the U.S. Department of Labor will award approximately $100 million in grant funds to 20-30 projects ranging from $2 million to $5 million each, for projects providing training and placement services in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries for workers impacted by national energy and environmental policy. Applicants eligible for these grants are: 1) national labor-management organizations with local networks; and 2) statewide or local strategic nonprofit partnerships consisting of labor-management organizations, labor unions, businesses, Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), and other organizations. The deadline to apply for Energy Training Partnership Grants is September 4, 2009.

Through federal Pathways out of Poverty Grants, the U.S. Department of Labor will award approximately $150 million in grant funds, ranging from $3 to $8 million to national grantees and from $2 million to $4 million for local grantees. These grants will be awarded to provide training and placement services to provide pathways out of poverty and into employment within the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Grantees selected from two separate types of applicants will be funded through this solicitation: (1) national nonprofit entities with networks of local affiliates, coalition members, or other established partners; and (2) local entities. New Jersey-based community- and faith-based organizations and nonprofits are eligible to apply. Applications for this grant are due on September 29, 2009.

A notice of these grant solicitations is available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm and http://www.grants.gov. These sites also provide dates and times for applicant virtual conferences. For more information on the array of Department of Labor employment and training investments and opportunities, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

For more information on the federal ARRA programs available, visit www.recovery.nj.gov.

Source: New Jersey Governor