The Indiana Department of Workforce Development and Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program (TAP) will begin offering a training program designed to give unemployed, underemployed and dislocated workers the knowledge and tools necessary for 21st century manufacturing jobs.
Purdue's Frontline Green Worker Certificate will be offered by WorkOne centers throughout Indiana. Participants will learn sustainable manufacturing practices that deliver cost savings while improving the environment. They also will earn an industry-recognized credential that will make them valuable to employers for green jobs in all sectors.
Training will be provided at no cost to qualified workers through a U.S. Department of Labor State Energy Sector Partnership grant.
The accreditation is based on Purdue's nationally recognized Green Enterprise Development (GreenED) curriculum, used by community colleges, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, the Blue Green Alliance, trade unions and other organizations in 16 states.
Like the GreenED program, the Frontline Green Worker Certificate training will be backed by an exam from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Participants will learn practices such as water conservation, air pollution reduction, solid waste management, toxic waste minimization and energy management. The courses use case studies and simulations to provide students with real-world situations.
Participants will be required to complete a half-day Green Generalist online training, two and a half days of Frontline Green Worker workshops and a half-day exam.
"We are pleased to work with the state workforce team and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers on another project to give Indiana workers skills that are meaningful and attractive to the manufacturing sector," said Dave Snow, director of TAP's Manufacturing Extension Partnership. "We believe this investment will result in other states adopting the Purdue TAP training curriculum, replicating the GreenED program."
The first training session is scheduled to begin in April. Workers should contact their local WorkOne centers beginning April 1 to enroll in courses. Visit http://www.WorkOneWorks.com to find local centers.
More information on the Frontline Green Worker Program is available at http://www.greenworker.purdue.edu
More information on the Green Enterprise Development curriculum can be found at http://www.greenmanufacturing.purdue.edu