Green Jobs: A Down Payment on the Workforce of Tomorrow
"Green Jobs: A Down Payment on the Workforce of Tomorrow"
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The Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, has a good HuffPost piece on “Green Jobs” I’m reprinting here:
Over the last year, the Obama Administration has been focused on many issues, none more important than creating jobs. We are working hard to sustain economic growth and spur renewed hiring for millions of Americans who need and want work, but cannot find it.
As I have said from day one, my goal is “A Good Job for Everyone.” A good job is one that can support a family by increasing incomes and narrowing the wage gap. A good job is safe and secure, and gives people a voice in the workplace. A good job is sustainable and innovative — like green jobs — that export products not paychecks. And a good job is one that will help to rebuild the middle class.
In this economy that’s a tall order, however I am more confident than ever that we will reach this goal because of the steps we have taken and the investments we have made in the American worker.
Just weeks after taking office, President Obama signed the historic Recovery Act and this Administration has taken bold steps to break the back of this recession. The Department of Labor moved quickly to protect workers who lost their jobs and provided new worker training opportunities for those looking to upgrade their skills.
And as we help workers through these challenging times, our real focus is investing in their future and today I announced nearly $100 million in green jobs training grants. These grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative — totaling $500 million — to fund workforce development projects promoting economic growth by preparing workers for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
In addition, some $28 million of today’s funds will support projects in communities impacted by the restructuring of the auto industry.
Twenty-five projects across the country will receive grants ranging from $1.4 to $5 million each and are built on strategic partnerships requiring labor and business to work together.
This investment will help American workers succeed while laying the foundation for our country’s long-term competitiveness by preparing workers for a range of careers including: hybrid/electric auto technicians, weatherization specialists, wind and energy auditors, and solar panel installers.
Without a doubt the Recovery Act is helping to pull our economy back from the brink and the Department of Labor is working tirelessly to ensure that we fulfill our responsibility to provide workers with the assistance they need today to plan for the careers of tomorrow and to help them find good jobs. A good job for everyone has been my goal from day one and it will continue to be in 2010.
We still have work to do before we can be sure that all Americans have access to good jobs, but I am confident that we will reach that goal. By working together with our partners, we can turn our economy around and create pathways to success for all of Americans.
For more about our green jobs initiatives, visit www.dol.gov/green.
FRONT
I appreciate this
Posted on another thread but appropriate here as well.
I do not see any real progress on jobs until corporations come to the realization that it is in THEIR best interest to function in an environment that is structured for the best interest of humanity in total, and not dedicated to the bottom line being “black” at the expense of sustainable life support systems. In essence, I see the majority of worlds corporations as “Robots” with a license to KILL! (think tobacco, Love Canal … humanities probable future on the present course!) As my son says, “it is clear that man cannot devise a system of rational self government!” Universal health care supported by a Carbon Tax would allow the population to work for lower wages, thus corporations become more competitive in the world market. It also allows a shorter work week. Insurance premiums encourage overtime above added workers. The list goes on…
The rational end IMO… Corporate computers happily counting bigger and ever bigger profits and Earth’s life support systems red lined… Oh boy…
My favorite time of day: logging onto this website and reading the latest news, and drinking coffee! Thanks, Joe!
Leif
You see the majority of the world’s corporations as killing robots and yet, they should take *your* advice for *their* own benefit.
Good luck with that.
Anand, #4 There is not a chance in hell that they will take my advice, However If “humanity gangs” up on them or they in fact look past the next quarter or two, perhaps they will see the “LIGHT'” of the “AWAKENING ECONOMY.” Some big corporations have indeed moved on and for the most part, perhaps all, have improved their financial position. ( Hint hint…) Further more, by now it should be quite clear that what is good for humanity is good for the bottom line. When Henry Ford started his assembly lines he made sure that he paid his workers enough so that they could afford to by his product. Todays economy ships jobs over seas and we must go in debt to by their products so that those Corporate Executives can take home 7&8 figure bonuses largely untaxed. And the Anti-Science sink Hole faction happily marches to their tune! How dumb is that?