Governor Jan Brewer Continues Push for Jobs Creation

Press Release

Announces State of Arizona Awarded $5 million for Energy Sector Training Grant

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the State of Arizona has been awarded $5 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 by the U.S. Department of Labor. The funds come from the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants which are designed to teach workers the skills required in emerging industries, including energy
efficiency and renewable energy. The grant will help train more than 1,500 Arizonans.

"I am working to secure more companies in the renewable energy industries to come to Arizona and create jobs - jobs that require specific skills - and winning this competitive grant will help Arizona workers advance their knowledge and meet the needs of green businesses," said Governor
Jan Brewer. "Forty partners worked together to bring their expertise and commitment to this project in order to secure long-lasting benefits for our State. The partners involved were integral to the development of this program and I would like to thank them for their willingness to help. The work that was done will further advance our goals to attract new businesses, secure quality jobs, and help put Arizona families back on their feet."

The grant application was developed in conjunction with the Departments of Commerce, Education, Economic Security as well as other state agencies and with involvement from several representatives from the local workforce investment areas, community colleges and state universities,
and private industry executives. The grant will provide for comprehensive training curriculum on green technology to be developed and shared between community colleges and universities, and provide funding for the development of partnerships between private industry and the workforce
system. There are three main regions that will receive funding -- Central, Northern and Southern.

Arizona's award is one of 34 granted across the country with a maximum award amount of $6 million.

Training through this grant will lead to a number of opportunities to advance sustainability and environmental progress in the Green Energy Sector, such as, Solar Installer Photo Voltaic Certificates, Thermal Certificates, and Green Building Design and Construction Certificates.

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