DOL Opens $500 Million Grant Program

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on June 24 announced five grant competitions, totaling $500 million, to fund projects that prepare workers for "green" jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Non-governmental organizations (such as AGC Chapters and Chapter-sponsored educational foundations) are eligible to apply for three of the five competitions: Green Capacity Building Grants, Energy Training Partnership Grants; and Pathways Out of Poverty Grants. The fourth and fifth grant competitions -- the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants and the State Labor Market Information Improvement Grants - will accept applications only from state Workforce Investment Boards. All five grant competitions are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. DOL is encouraging applicants to align their work "to other Recovery Act funded projects that create jobs or impact the skill requirements of existing jobs." For more information, click here, or contact Liz Elvin at (703) 837-5389 or elvinl@agc.org.