State wins green jobs training grant

The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation was awarded $1.25 million by the U.S. Department of Labor to be used to support job training for expanding green industries and related occupations.

Florida’s training grant was part of $55 million in green job grants announced today by U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. The grant funds were authorized as part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Two types of grants were awarded Wednesday:

Green capacity building grants totaling $5.8 million that are designed to increase the training capacity of 62 current Labor Department grant recipients. Targeted groups include American Indians, women, at-risk youth and farm workers.

State labor market information improvement grants totaling $48.8 million that will help connect job seekers with clean industry industries after completing job training.

Other Florida groups that received grants include the Urban League of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, $100,000; and the Florida Institute for Workforce Innovation Inc. in Melrose, $100,000.

Meanwhile, in Central Florida, green industry has been a hot topic lately. A study released in October by Orange County showed the four-county metro region could grow its economy and become the nation’s “cleantech hub” by funding its own green grants and launching a new business incubator aimed at growing green companies.

“When it comes to cleantech, I think we’re talking about the next big thing,” said Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty.

Source: Orlando Business Chronicle