INDIANAPOLIS (January 20, 2010) - The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced winning a $6 million grant from the US Department of Labor to help train Hoosier workers for the green jobs of tomorrow. 

"Governor Mitch Daniels voiced Indiana's goal to become the capital of the nation's electric vehicle industry during his State of the State Address last night.  This grant will help provide the training Hoosier workers need to fulfill that attainable goal," said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

The grant will fund "Indiana's Green Energy Technology Instruction and Training" (I GET IT).  The statewide program will provide skills training and on-the-job experience in the green energy sector to over 2,100 dislocated autoworkers, unemployed Hoosiers, out-of-school youth, and adults with barriers to employment.  Additionally, the program will establish an Advanced Energy Training Center to facilitate the state's transition to a green economy.  Details about the training programs and application process will be announced this spring.

The US Department of Labor awarded 34 green training grants ranging from $2 million to $6 million. Indiana received the largest grant awarded under this competitive grant program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development partnered in this grant proposal with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Ivy Tech Community College, Southeastern Indiana Small Business Development Center and the American StructurePoint, Inc.

This marks the second grant awarded to DWD from the US Department of Labor to help Indiana lead the transformation of the green auto industry.  In November, DWD won a $4 million grant to study the new green automobile sector and build a roadmap for success by individual workers and the auto industry.

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