News Releases
| Growth Dimensions and the Boone and Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Forms Stakeholder Collaboration and Seeks Federal Funding for Energy Training Initiative | |
The Northern Stateline Regional Energy Training Initiative will focus on strategies to train and teach workers the skills required for employment in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in which the new jobs that will be created will, in turn, aid the economic growth in the region. The training programs will prepare individuals for careers in the biofuels industry, renewable electric power industry, and manufacturing that produces sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials. The Northern Stateline Regional Energy Training Initiative will address four project goals:
Goal 1) Develop a regional workforce to address the employment needs of the Biofuel Production Supply Chain System Goal 2) Enhance the demand for biofuel products by updating the skills and training of individuals employed with businesses using biofuels
Goal 3) Develop an industry-recognized workforce that is readily accessible to the alternative energy industry for timely and effective rollout of alternative energy technologies in the Northwestern Illinois/Southwestern Wisconsin region
Goal 4) Update the skills and training of individuals employed in the manufacturing industry to expand the "waste to profit" business collaboration model. A "Green Jobs Action Team", comprised of key stakeholders involved in the development of new training opportunities has driven the planning for the Northern Stateline Regional Energy Training Initiative. To ensure we are meeting the needs and requirements of employers, and Energy Training Advisory Council will be created to provide oversight and guidance for this initiative. The Energy Training Advisory Council will include representatives of the Green Jobs Action Team, initiative partners, and other key stakeholders. This group will provide key knowledge regarding industry and skill requirements; will validate training curricula relevance, and will directly contribute to the initiative success by hiring trainees and participating in the incumbent worker training programs.
The initial "Green Jobs Team" includes:
Boone and Winnebago Counties Workforce Investment Board, Inc. will provide management of the projects included in this initiative. Functions and responsibilities of the WIB will include coordinating all outreach and recruitment activities for program participants and employer participants; participant and employer data tracking and reporting to Growth Dimensions; monitoring of training activities; and ensuring placement outcomes. |