March EDA Newsletter: Examples of "Green" Workforce Development

Volume 2; Issue 3 

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In this Issue:

● EDA Federal Funding Opportunity for Recovery Act Program

● Where are the Green Jobs?

● Growing a Green Workforce (Michigan's story)

● Building Green, Building Futures (Austin, Texas)

Federal Funding Opportunity Now Available for EDA's 

American Recovery Program

EDA is pleased to announce the solicitation of applications under its $150 million 

American Recovery Act Program. EDA is soliciting applications from eligible 

applicants in all U.S. States to fund projects that will advance economic growth in 

communities and regions experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per 

capita income.

EDA's goal is to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes 

entrepreneurship and attracts increased private capital investment. The deadline 

for receipt of applications under the Recovery Act Program is June 30, 2010. All 

other information and requirements for the EDA American Recovery Act Program 

may be found in the March 10, 2009, Federal Register notice (74 FR 10232) and 

the companion federal funding opportunity announcement on EDA's Website.

Where are the Green Jobs?

Aside from the clear benefits that alternative and renewable energy sources hold 

for the environment, they also hold great promise for the American economy 

through the creation of higher-skill, higher-wage "green jobs."

What is a "real" green economy and where are the opportunities for green jobs?

There is general consensus that a few areas appear to be particularly promising in 

terms of high potential for "green job" growth. Leading researchers, both in and 

out of government consider the following industries and occupations "best bets" 

for green employment opportunities:

Manufacturing: Green products and technologies will affect 

many manufacturing-related sectors, but a recent Duke 

University study found that some of the biggest growth areas 

will be related to LED lighting, high performance windows and 

idling systems for trucks.

Green Construction: Residential construction and building 

retrofitting opportunities are expected to be a large job-growth 

area. Studies suggest that 10 on-site jobs will be created per $1 

million invested in a typical retrofitting project. These estimates 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Do you have a story idea, case study 

or topic that you would like to see 

covered in this newsletter? Do you 

want to comment on something you 

read here? Email us and your 

comment or idea could be featured in 

the next EDA Update!

APA's Tools-of-the-Trade Part 

Two: Strategy 1 —

Coordination of Economic 

Development Programs and 

Support Services

Intraregional coordination, which 

works at the very broadest level of 

coordination, is the effort to avoid 

competition among communities 

within a region. In APA's Tools-of-theTrade, (Website) economic 

development practitioners can assess 

how job creation and retention in one 

community has economic effects that 

spill over city boundaries for the 

benefit of the entire region.

Federal Funding Opportunity 

Now Available for EDA's 

University Center Economic 

Development Program

EDA is now soliciting applications for 

the FY 2009 University Center 

Economic Development Program 

competition, to take place in EDA's 

Atlanta and Seattle regional offices. A 

notice was published in the Federal 

Register (74 FR 7856). EDA is 

soliciting applications from accredited 

institutions of higher education and 

from consortia of accredited 

institutions of higher education in the 

geographic areas served by its Atlanta 

and Seattle regional offices. 

The deadline for receipt of applications 

is April 21, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. 

Eastern Time for EDA's Atlanta 

regional office and 5:00 p.m. Pacific 

Time for EDA's Seattle regional office. 

All other information and 

requirements for the FY 2009 

University Center Economic 

Development Program competition 

may be found in the February 20, 

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March EDA Newsletter: Examples of "Green" Workforce Development

do not include additional jobs created from indirect economic 

activity such as producing building materials, like ductwork and 

insulation; energy efficient appliances, like refrigerators and 

lighting; or environmental controls, like meters and thermostats.

Wind Energy: The Midwest and the Plains are utilizing 

abundant wind resources in this growing field. Experts predict 

major job growth among wind energy technicians, mechanics 

and windsmiths.

Mass Transit/Freight Rail: As more funds are invested in 

mass transit, new job opportunities will also emerge. Engineers 

and conductors will be in demand, as will construction workers 

and other technical support personnel.

Agriculture-Related Sectors: Biofuels, especially ethanol, are 

already a big part of the sustainable business landscape. 

However, many other opportunities are also in place. Super Soil 

systems — a new method for dealing with animal wastes---are 

one promising technology area. Super Soil systems are not yet 

commercially available, but the underlying technology has 

proved to be successful in addressing a major problem in 

communities with large livestock industries and attendant 

problems of treating and disposing of animal waste. Hundreds 

of hog and chicken farms across the U.S. represent a ready 

market for this new technology.

What do these diverse sectors and occupations have in common? 

Beyond the fact that they are all "green," most of them are higher-wage jobs and 

relate to existing technologies and existing markets. Visionary companies are 

already succeeding in these sectors, and the challenge ahead is not necessarily 

about inventing new technologies, but about scaling up the marketplace. In that 

sense, all of these sectors represent "real" opportunities that won't depend on a 

major shift in how we live or how businesses operate. Much of our economy's 

future success will depend on new innovations in green technology, but many 

higher-wage green jobs already exist today.

Helpful Resources

● Gary Gereffi, Kristen Dubay, and Marcy Lowe, Manufacturing Climate 

Solutions, Report from Duke University Center on Globalization, 

Governance and Competitiveness, November 2008.(PDF) 

● Sarah White and Jason Walsh, Greener Pathways. Report prepared for the 

Center for Wisconsin Strategy, the Workforce Alliance and the Apollo 

Alliance, 2008. (PDF) 

● Vice President of the United States, Middle Class Task Force Staff Report, 

Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class, February 2009.(PDF) 

Growing a Green Workforce: Michigan is leading the way with 

educational and training programs!

Businesses of all sizes and in all sectors contend that access to a skilled and 

talented workforce is the most important ingredient to business success. As green 

industries and occupations begin to emerge, the demand for a skilled "green 

collar" workforce will also begin to materialize. A fundamental component to our 

nation's success will be the ability to prepare, train and re-train workers to meet 

this diverse and rapidly changing sector.

Currently, the green job market includes a wide-variety of skills and occupations. 

Renewable energy production, green building, agriculture and transportation are 

just a few of the industries generating higher-skill, higher-wage jobs. This 

diversity is one essential reason that many communities, educational institutions 

and workforce development centers are looking at green jobs to enhance their 

community's economic position.

Many green jobs provide a dual benefit. Jobs like green building construction or 

the installation of solar panels help support sustainability goals such as reduced 

2009, Federal Register notice (74 FR 

7856) and the companion federal 

funding opportunity announcement on 

EDA's Website. 

EDA Excellence in Economic 

Development Awards 2009

The competition for EDA's Excellence 

in Economic Development Awards 

2009 has begun. The awards are 

designed to recognize innovative 

economic development 

accomplishments and best practices 

across the United States. 

Please review and download the 

Awards 2009 entry brochure available 

on http://www.eda.gov/. 

EDA is accepting entries through April 

16, 2009.

If you have any questions, contact 

Barbara Earman in EDA's Legislative 

and Intergovernmental Affairs Division 

at 202-482-4521 or at awards@eda.

doc.gov.

Coming Soon!

March 25–27, 2009

NADO's Economic Development 

Finance Service Conference New 

Orleans, LA [Website]

April 14–15, 2009

Center for Automotive Research, 

Roads to Renewal Chicago, IL 

[Website]

April 19–22, 2009

NBIA's 23rd International Conference 

on Business Incubation Kansas City, 

MO [Website]

April 25–29, 2009

APA's 101st National Planning 

Conference Minneapolis, MN 

[Website]

May 3–5, 2009

Southeast Workforce and Economic 

Development Conference; Atlanta, GA 

[Website]

June 1–4, 2009

2009 IEDC Technology-Led Economic 

Development Conference and IASP 

World Conference on Science and 

Technology Parks; The Research 

Triangle Park, NC 

[Website]

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March EDA Newsletter: Examples of "Green" Workforce Development

fossil fuel use or increased use of recycled materials. At the same time, many of 

these positions are higher-wage, which boosts the economy. Many of the positions 

fall in the category of higher-skill jobs, career paths that require some level of 

technical education beyond a high school diploma. Many labor market experts 

expect that demand for higher-skill jobs will rapidly increase in coming years.

Michigan has been an "early adopter" of these concepts. Faced with significant 

declines in traditional manufacturing sectors, the state's leaders have sought to 

promote alternative career paths for the Michigan workforce. Green jobs offer one 

means to capitalize on the state's traditional manufacturing strength, while also 

generating other environmental benefits for the state. Michigan's education and 

workforce development institutions have pioneered education programs in 

alternative energy, sustainability and other green areas. In fact, all 15 of the 

state's public universities are offering courses devoted to alternative energy, and 

the state has also identified 88 universities, colleges and educational centers for a 

worker retraining program with a focus on green jobs.

The demand for Michigan's academic programs in alternative energy and related 

fields has grown so strong that waiting-lists are the norm. For example, the 

University of Michigan's Advanced Energy Systems course boosted its registration 

from 41 to 60 within a three-year timeframe. An analysis conducted by the 

Phoenix Energy Institute concluded that at least 60 course offerings at the 

University of Michigan fall under the alternative energy umbrella. 

Lansing Community College (LCC) is also actively engaged through its Alternative 

Energy Initiative and its Associate's Degree in Alternative Energy Technology. 

Working in collaboration with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium 

(NAFTC), LCC instructors were tapped to create alternative energy curriculum for 

colleges and universities across the country. LCC's automotive technology 

students work on hybrid vehicles and have built an internal combustion engine 

powered by a fuel cell. LCC's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), 

Electrical and Building Construction students learn energy management and 

alternative methods for heating and cooling buildings and residences. Alternative 

energy students also study wind, solar, geothermal and bio-mass/gas energy 

production systems to develop an understanding of the challenges and 

opportunities in developing a renewable energy economy.

Beyond the education offerings sampled above, there are several state-endorsed 

initiatives to aid in the development of new industries and rigorous retraining and 

reemployment efforts that involve both education and private investment.

One such program is Governor Jennifer Granholm's No Worker Left Behind 

(NWLB) program, which in August 2008, expanded its offerings to include a $6 

million investment in green jobs training. NWLB is one of the more aggressive 

workforce development efforts ever attempted in Michigan. Within two years, 

NWLB seeks to double the number of trained workers, by providing up to two 

years of free tuition. Last month, Governor Granholm further raised the bar with 

her proposal for a Michigan Energy Corps, designed to train and deploy 

unemployed workers in the weatherization of homes and public buildings.

No Worker Left Behind pays up to $5,000 a year in tuition for 

up to two years at community colleges, universities and privatesector training schools. Its goal is to retrain 100,000 workers by 

2010. As of February 2009, more than 51,000 Michigan 

residents have already used the program.

Another program, which emphasizes the need for industry involvement is the 

Michigan Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE). The COEE program brings 

companies, academic institutions and the state together to support cutting-edge 

research and development and pioneer new alternative-energy technologies. The 

program will match the base companies with universities, national labs and 

training centers to accelerate next-generation research, workforce development 

and commercialization. 

The focus and efforts of Michigan education entities, the state and workforce 

development leaders couldn't come at a better time. Michigan is looking toward a 

more diverse economy with more industry and less dependence on manufacturing 

and other prominent sectors. Yet, it is its long history with these industries that 

make alternative energy such a natural fit for Michigan's workers.

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March EDA Newsletter: Examples of "Green" Workforce Development

Economic development practitioners across the country are facing similar 

challenges. Here's what they can learn from Michigan:

● Building strong links between the private sector and workforce 

training providers is especially important in emerging sectors where both 

the needs of businesses and the needs of workers are less established. 

Green, sustainable, and renewable industries all fit this bill. 

● Where possible, training programs should build a bridge between 

current markets and emerging market needs. For example, LCC's 

training programs provide a base of training that allows workers for 

careers in both traditional fields — HVAC Installation and Repair — as well 

as emerging sectors such as alternative heating/cooling systems. 

● Top-level leadership is required. Because green industries are a 

relatively new phenomenon, workers are often uncertain about potential 

career opportunities. Large-scale programs like NWLB and the Energy 

Corps send an important message that green jobs will be a profitable and 

sustainable career path. These statewide initiatives provide needed 

funding, but also provide inspiration to move in new directions.

For more information on the programs listed above, visit the following links:

● Lansing Community College

● National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium

● Michigan Economic Development Corporation

● No Worker Left Behind

● Green Jobs Initiative

Building Green, Building Futures: Austin-based nonprofit 

provides a pathway out of poverty for local youth

In 1993, the city of Austin, Texas approached American YouthWorks, an Austinbased nonprofit that offers education and job training to at-risk youth, to build the 

city's first ever green house. Fifteen years and 105 houses later, the program has 

served hundreds of youths through its Casa Verde YouthBuild program.

Students build 5-star energy efficient, 1100 square foot, twobedroom homes that sell for about $140,000.

The program helps youth and young adults (ages 17-24) learn construction skills 

by building environmentally friendly houses in Austin. In addition to earning 

industry certificates in construction, students earn college scholarship money. 

Casa Verde uses 60 percent recyclable material as well as solar screens and other 

technologies to make homes more energy-efficient.

Richard Halpin, founder and CEO of American YouthWorks calls the program life 

changing. "Many of these young adults — currently about 90 percent — have been 

in the criminal justice system. Just about all of them are drop-outs and come from 

low-income homes. Through this program, students learn and earn their pathway 

out of poverty."

Currently, the Casa Verde YouthBuild program serves 22 students, however 

enrollment ranges from 22–35 students at any given time. At least 30 percent of 

graduates have gone into the skilled trades industry. In fact, Halpin mentions that 

five recent graduates are currently in a stone cutting artisan apprentice program 

in the Austin area. 

"Our program is so unique that we have business leaders coming to us looking to 

hire our students and graduates. The push for green is obvious in recent years 

and businesses turn to us for that experience."

The Casa Verde program is partially funded through the Department of Labor's 

(DOL) YouthBuild program and has received other investments from industry, 

foundations and other state, local and Federal entities.

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March EDA Newsletter: Examples of "Green" Workforce Development

Although the Casa Verde YouthBuild was YouthWorks entry into the green arena, 

it doesn't stop there. In September 2008, the U.S. Economic Development 

Administration issued a grant to redevelop one of American YouthWorks high 

school campuses into a Green Jobs Training Center (EDA also issued a grant in 

1999 to YouthWorks to build the first green-built school and commercial building 

in Austin). The training center, set to break ground this month, will serve as an 

energy magnet high school.

"We have a great opportunity here to take the applied learning method that works 

so well in the Casa Verde YouthBuild program and transform the way our students 

learn math, science and other subjects. We will use industry-based certificate 

programs and ensure that the education reflects the current and future needs of 

the market," said Halpin.

And that market demand is more prominent than ever. Texas is already the 

leader in wind power generation in the country and has recently discovered a rich 

marketplace for solar. As such, American YouthWorks is focused on training for a 

variety of occupations in solar and wind power, building energy management, 

water harvesting, healthy food and commercial kitchens, to name just a few.

Halpin is also quick to point out the economic benefits as well, "The Green Jobs 

Training Center is a goldmine for economic development. Entrepreneurs and 

businesses want to be where green innovation is happening, and it's happening 

right here in Austin and right here at American YouthWorks."

The Green Training Center, which will be complete in August 2009, has also 

received a Workforce Training Grant from DOL's Employment and Training 

Administration and continues to seek investment to ensure success.

For more information, visit American YouthWorks.

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