Grant Will Support Renewable Energy Program at CCC

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:46:56 GMT

Funds from the Department of Labor green jobs training grant will help educate Clackamas Community College students in the growing field of renewable energy. The $5 million Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) grant, one of 25 awarded nationally, will preserve or create 1,700 jobs in renewable energy industries in the region. CCC is working on a one-year certificate and a two-year associate’s degree in renewable energy technology. The renewable energy technology program will train new hires as well as incumbent workers in renewable energy generation and manufacturing production of sustainable products using sustainable practices. The program will go before the State Board of Education later this year, and classes will begin in the spring. The Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County will administer the $434,700 local grant that will support CCC’s program. The grant will be used to hire an instructor for the program as well as support staff. A workforce specialist will enroll and manage qualified students in the program, as well as work with employers to develop training or job sites. The OMEP grant proposal, Renewable Northwest or ReNW, was written in partnership with four area workforce investment boards, six community colleges, several labor organizations, economic development partners and the WorkSource system. Nine different counties will be served. The ReNW proposal, authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will help build a skilled work force to support companies that generate power and local manufacturers who produce products that support the industry. Grant funds will be used to increase the capacity of local area training providers to offer additional existing, industry-identified training; to analyze skills and production requirements of potential suppliers to the industries; and to train existing workers to meet changing needs of their companies around renewable energy. In the metro area, 37 companies have expressed interest in participating in the ReNW project including Miles Fiberglass in Clackamas County. For more information, please contact Catherine Nopp at 503-594-3449.