Green Jobs Act
While IEC supports efforts to address the lack of skilled workers, in
general or specifically in the field of energy efficiency, the Green
Jobs Act limits eligibility to entities who are partnered with a labor
organization. The reality is that this language would prevent non-union
training programs across the country from receiving this grant funding.
The Green Jobs Act establishes National Energy Training Partnership Grants to fund training programs targeted at creating an efficient energy and renewable energy skilled workforce. With the same goal, the Act would create a State Energy Training Partnership Program for eligible states to administer green jobs training programs. Finally, this act would utilize the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program to make grants for community-based nonprofit organizations in order to train low income individuals in skilled trades related to increasing energy efficiency.
Unfortunately, the Act specifically limits program eligibility to entities that partner with labor organizations, thus effectively preventing the vast majority of the construction industry from participating in the program.
Open shop companies train millions of workers each year in a wide variety of skilled occupations and are constantly striving to keep pace with technology and innovation in order to make certain America has the skilled workforce it deserves, and that all American workers, regardless of union affiliation, enjoy equal opportunity access to critical job training. Allowing monopolistic participation by labor organizations in this grant process would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the organizations that train almost 9 out of every 10 skilled workers to participate in this new and emerging job market.
Status of Legislation: The Green Jobs Act language was enacted as part of the Energy Bill signed into law in December 2007. However, funding for implementation of the Act has not yet been approved. Yet to be introduced in 111th Congress, however, the original House sponsor, Rep. Hilda Solis, has been nominated to be the next Secretary of the Department of Labor and thus funding for the Green Jobs Act could become a priority. The Green Jobs Improvement Act, which would have removed the partnering with a union requirement from the Green Jobs Act, was introduced in the 110th Congress by Rep. John Kline.
IEC Position: While IEC strongly supports the concept of green jobs training, IEC opposes funding this program unless the statutory language is changed to allow all federal-or state-approved training organizations to be eligible for these training grants. IEC supports legislation that would open up green jobs funding to all approved training programs.
The Green Jobs Act establishes National Energy Training Partnership Grants to fund training programs targeted at creating an efficient energy and renewable energy skilled workforce. With the same goal, the Act would create a State Energy Training Partnership Program for eligible states to administer green jobs training programs. Finally, this act would utilize the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program to make grants for community-based nonprofit organizations in order to train low income individuals in skilled trades related to increasing energy efficiency.
Unfortunately, the Act specifically limits program eligibility to entities that partner with labor organizations, thus effectively preventing the vast majority of the construction industry from participating in the program.
Open shop companies train millions of workers each year in a wide variety of skilled occupations and are constantly striving to keep pace with technology and innovation in order to make certain America has the skilled workforce it deserves, and that all American workers, regardless of union affiliation, enjoy equal opportunity access to critical job training. Allowing monopolistic participation by labor organizations in this grant process would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the organizations that train almost 9 out of every 10 skilled workers to participate in this new and emerging job market.
Status of Legislation: The Green Jobs Act language was enacted as part of the Energy Bill signed into law in December 2007. However, funding for implementation of the Act has not yet been approved. Yet to be introduced in 111th Congress, however, the original House sponsor, Rep. Hilda Solis, has been nominated to be the next Secretary of the Department of Labor and thus funding for the Green Jobs Act could become a priority. The Green Jobs Improvement Act, which would have removed the partnering with a union requirement from the Green Jobs Act, was introduced in the 110th Congress by Rep. John Kline.
IEC Position: While IEC strongly supports the concept of green jobs training, IEC opposes funding this program unless the statutory language is changed to allow all federal-or state-approved training organizations to be eligible for these training grants. IEC supports legislation that would open up green jobs funding to all approved training programs.
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Green Jobs Act
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