The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the Green Jobs Innovation Fund competition to support opportunities for workers to receive job training in green industry sectors and occupations.  Through this competition, the department will award approximately $40 million to support five to eight grantees with awards ranging from $5 million to $8 million each.  Eligible applicants will include national and statewide organizations with local affiliates that have existing career training programs and will benefit a minimum of six communities per grant.   

“This grant program is an important effort in supporting green investments and equipping workers with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to succeed in green occupations,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The projects we expect to fund will enable workers to gain new skills that will make them competitive for industries and careers in demand.” 

These funds will enable training providers to develop programs that incorporate green career pathways by forging linkages between Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and/or integrating the delivery of technical and basic skills training through community-based partnerships.  The grants are tied to the Labor Department’s vision of increasing the number of individuals completing training programs with industry-recognized credentials and increasing the number of individuals completing training programs for employment in green jobs. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the online tutorial “Grant Applications 101:  A Plain English Guide to ETA Competitive Grants” available at http://www.workforce3one.org/page/grants_toolkit.  They can register at http://www.Grants.gov to access the solicitation for grant applications.  In addition, grant information is posted at http://www.doleta.gov/grants.