US Labor Department awards $9 million in nationwide grants providing thousands of veterans with ‘green’ jobs training
WASHINGTON — Raymond Jefferson, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, today announced that 22 grants, totaling more than $9 million, are being awarded nationwide to provide thousands of veterans with green jobs training.

Jefferson said that the grants, provided under the department's Veterans' Workforce Investment Program, will "give an estimated 4,000 veterans who have served our country the opportunity to receive training on and participate in the growing renewable energy economy." Veterans will receive skills assessments, individual job counseling, labor market information, classroom or on-the-job training in green jobs, skills upgrading and retraining, placement assistance and crucial follow-up services.

The funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. These agencies are familiar with the areas and populations to be served — particularly as they relate to veterans who are homeless, disabled or economically disadvantaged — and they have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs. These grants will serve veterans in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Projects that support President Barack Obama's commitment to "green energy jobs" and propose a clear strategy for training and employment in the renewable energy economy are considered unique and innovative and received priority consideration for these grants.

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service helps veterans, reservists, and National Guard members in securing employment and the rights and benefits associated with such through existing programs, the coordination and merger of programs, and the implementation of new programs. Services provided reflect the changing needs of employers and the eligible veterans population. More information can be found at http://www.dol.gov/vets/.

 2010 VWIP Grantees

2nd year VWIP Grantees

MA     $500,000    Commonwealth of Massachusetts                     Boston

NY     $270,000    Veterans Outreach Center Inc.                         Rochester

OR     $500,000    Community Solutions for Clackamas County     Oregon City

OK     $500,000    East Central University                                      Ada

TX     $500,000    American G.I. Forum National Veterans Outreach Program Inc.    San Antonio

AZ     $500,000    County of Pima                                                  Tucson

PA     $500,000    Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dept.: Labor and Industry            Harrisburg

MN   $407,549    RESOURCE Inc.                                               Minneapolis

CO     $500,000    Colorado Department of Labor and Employment     Denver

CA     $300,000    Swords to Plowshares                                       San Francisco

MD    $500,000    Way Station Inc.                                               Frederick

TX     $500,000    Goodwill Industries of Houston Inc.                   Houston

NC    $290,600    Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry Inc.       Asheville

CT     $500,000    The Workplace Inc.     Bridgeport

MA    $300,000     Veterans Inc. (formerly Massachusetts Veterans Inc.) Worcester

CA     $500,000    United States Veteran Initiative        Long Beach

IN     $500,000    Indiana Department of Workforce Development        Indianapolis

 1st year VWIP Grantees

MI     $341,006    Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids Inc.    Grandville

MD    $499,695    Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region     Silver Spring

MO    $146,248    St. Patrick Center             St. Louis

TN     $500,000    Operation Stand Down Nashville Inc.                Nashville

KS     $492,016    Kansas Department of Commerce      Topeka