Governor Doyle Announces $2 Million Energy Training Grant

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced a $2 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to provide clean energy job training to workers in Wisconsin and across the Midwest. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the grant to East Central Intergovernmental Association (E.C.I.A.) Business Growth, Inc. in Dubuque to train hundreds of workers in wind energy, energy efficiency assessment and energy efficiency construction.

“Through the state’s major investments and the Recovery Act, Wisconsin has a tremendous opportunity to invest in our clean energy workforce,” Governor Doyle said. “I am pleased we are investing in workers who will lead our state in the installation of clean energy technologies that keep energy dollars in our communities, create jobs and clean our air and water.”

The Energy Training Partnership grant will train over 340 workers and will provide them an opportunity to earn certifications in either wind turbine repair, energy efficiency rating systems and green building construction. Wisconsin Workforce Connections is a key partner in the project, which will impact a 27 county region across Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.

Nationally, Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced 25 Energy Training Partnership awards totaling $100 million to private nonprofit organizations. The training program meets the needs of employers and workers by providing training in advanced clean energy technology.

The Energy Training Partnership grant builds on Governor Doyle’s efforts to create green energy jobs and make Wisconsin a clean energy leader. Governor Doyle yesterday launched the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a landmark legislative package to accelerate the state’s green economy and create jobs. New industry-recognized research shows the package will directly create at least 15,000 green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025.