The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Thursday announced a second round of grants available through the Pathways Out of Poverty Program, which funds green jobs training programs offered by clean energy companies, community-based nonprofit groups, educational institutions, and labor organizations throughout the Commonwealth.
Authorized by the Act Relative to Clean Energy signed into law by
Governor Patrick in November 2009, MassCEC’s Pathways out of Poverty
Program is designed to jumpstart training in clean energy careers for
low- and moderate-income residents. Eligible projects must include
on-the-job-training (OJT) models that serve the target population and
provide targeted services and activities that address employer workforce
needs and optimize opportunities for participant learning, career
development and economic advancement within the clean energy industry.
MassCEC will award a total of $734,000 in grants to projects through
competitive selection. Funding for the Pathways Out of Poverty program
includes $600,000 from MassCEC, and $134,000 from the Commonwealth’s
State Energy Sector Partnership grant, awarded to the Massachusetts
Workforce Investment Board from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment
and Training Administration. Funds provided through the State Energy
Sector Partnership are provided by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act.
“These grants will help create programs that are essential in ensuring that people throughout the Commonwealth have access to clean energy jobs training and real-world learning,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney.
In 2009, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, in collaboration with MassCEC, issued the nation’s first state-funded Pathways Out of Poverty program. Based on the requirements of the 2008 Green Jobs Act, $1 million was awarded to five grantees in Lowell, Brockton, Worcester, Springfield/Holyoke and Pittsfield to expand the clean energy workforce by boosting skills of low-income workers.
The five projects trained 196 individuals in clean energy skill programs. Of those trained, 106 were either placed in full time employment, began their own businesses or decided to continue with school by matriculating into for-credit community college programs. Results equate to an average placement rate of approximately 60% across the training programs. The program also resulted in more than 340 industry-recognized certificates and credentials being awarded to trainees, which will assist trainees in building a career pathway and make them more competitive candidates for jobs.
The deadline for submitting proposals is April 15, 2011. More information about the solicitations and how to apply is available at the link below.
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