MassCEC Announces $1 Million Available for Clean Energy Job Training

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced the availability of $1 million in grant funding as part of the Pathways Out of Poverty program, which supports clean energy job training programs for low and moderate-income individuals.

The program provides funding for green collar job training offered by clean energy companies, community-based nonprofit groups, educational institutions and labor organizations throughout Massachusetts.

“Providing funding for programs that connect low- and moderate-income workers with an expanding clean energy industry is a natural fit,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who serves as the chairman of MassCEC’s board of directors. “These programs will put workers on the road to economic self-sufficiency.”

“The booming clean energy sector in Massachusetts provides an opportunity for those who are unemployed or underemployed,” said Barton McDevitt. “Our goal is to prepare the workers of tomorrow for this expanding new sector that’s fueling 72,000 jobs across the state.”

MassCEC is now accepting grant proposals for programs that support bridge-to-college programs, provide training and educational growth opportunities, support On-the-Job Training programs (OJT) that prepare and place individuals in occupations in the clean energy sector.

The ideal programs will be those that target low- and moderate-income, incumbent un- or under-employed workers, out-of-school youth, veterans and individuals from families with multigenerational poverty.

Authorized by the Act Relative to Clean Energy signed into law by Governor Patrick in November 2009, MassCEC’s Pathways out of Poverty program is designed to jumpstart training in clean energy careers for low- and moderate-income residents. Eligible projects must include on-the-job-training models or bridge-to-college programs that serve the target population and provide services and activities to address employer workforce needs and optimize opportunities for participant learning, career development and economic advancement within the clean energy industry. Projects must assure that individuals will improve their economic circumstances as a result of participation in the program. 

Applications are due April 8 and a webinar on the program and applications process will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 22.

To sign up for the webinar, please email Arthur Natella at ANatella@masscec.com.

For more information on applying, or to review the RFP, please visit www.masscec.com/node/39.