Rendell Administration Awards $400,000 To Expand Green Energy Industry, Train Workforce

Rendell Administration Awards $400,000 To Expand Green Energy Industry, Train
Workforce

Employers in 11 Southwest Counties Participate in Clean Energy, Green Jobs
Initiative

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Labor &
Industry today announced the investment of more than $400,000 in a project
here that will support efforts to expand the clean energy industry in the
southwestern region and transform it into a research, development and clean
energy technology leader.

The 3 Rivers Clean Energy Partnership is a consortium of 12 employers in
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence,
Mercer, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The partnership will combine
efforts with the International Union of Operating Engineers, which has
delivered green building operator training, energy conservation training and
on-site energy efficiency training to more than 500 individuals over the past
three years.

Combined with $350,000 in private matching funds, the total investment is
$760,000.

"Southwestern Pennsylvania was at the heart of our nation's industrial
revolution," said Labor & Industry Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development
Fred Dedrick. "Through the outstanding efforts of the 3 Rivers Clean Energy
Partnership, and organizations like it, this region will be at the heart of
our nation's clean energy revolution.

"By investing in today's advanced technologies and by training today's
workforce to use them, Pennsylvania is working to ensure its place as a leader
in the clean, sustainable energy industry of tomorrow and for years to come,"
Dedrick said.

More than 6,100 companies are participating in 90 active partnerships in 11
industries. Over four years, more than 61,000 employees from participating
companies have completed or are engaged in industry partnership worker
training.

These targeted investment grants, made possible through funding by the General
Assembly and administered by local workforce investment boards, help industry
partnership participants identify specific training needs and skill gaps, help
connect young people to careers, help educational and training institutions
arrange curriculum to meet business demands, address worker recruitment and
retention, develop career ladders within companies, highlight best practices,
and promote communication among companies.

Applications and eligibility guidelines for industry partnership and industry
partnership worker training program grants are available online at
www.paworkforce.state.pa.us under the "Governor Rendell's Strategy for
Building a Skilled Workforce" quick link.

CONTACT:
Christopher S. Manlove
(717) 787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Christopher S. Manlove of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry,
+1-717-787-7530