In a written statement the agencies said that offering workforce training is but another step toward achieving the Obama administration’s goal of improving energy efficiency nationwide in commercial and industrial buildings by 20 percent by 2020, reducing energy costs by nearly $40 billion and creating American jobs.
"As the President made clear in his State of the Union address, reducing energy waste in business and manufacturing is critical to building an American economy that lasts," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "A well-trained clean energy workforce will help U.S. businesses to cut energy costs, become more competitive in the global market and reduce pollution."
The funding will support training centers targeted at improving energy performance in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants.
To compete for the funding, universities, community and technical colleges, and trade associations across the country will partner with the Commerce Department’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers to create robust building efficiency training programs that leverage MEP's efforts to help businesses create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money.
Training will be tailored to building operators, building managers and energy service providers and will provide energy performance solutions that can save businesses 5 to 20 percent on their energy bills.
"Everywhere I go, across the country, CEOs and business leaders tell me that one of their chief concerns is having the highly skilled workers they need to power their companies. They believe, and this Administration believes, that a globally competitive economy requires a globally competitive workforce, and that begins with by funding training programs like these," said Commerce Secretary John Bryson. "Simply put, training is the key to helping American workers meet the demands of our rapidly changing 21st century economy."
Applications are due on March 30, 2012.
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