NEWARK - Governor Jon S. Corzine today recognized graduates of a state-funded energy efficiency training program as the wave of workers who will help lead the movement to a greener New Jersey at the community level.

"We are in the midst of a green revolution that will require the creation of new jobs across virtually every sector of our economy," Governor Corzine said. "We must ensure that New Jersey's workforce is prepared to meet these demands.  Today's graduates are to be commended for completing the training for new jobs that will, house-by-house, bring new energy efficiency to our communities."

New Jersey has taken an aggressive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and developing renewable energy sources.  Through a unique collaboration in four communities, regional partners are implementing Governor Corzine's innovative green jobs training initiative, funded and administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  The program is training 300 workers in the skills that are needed for energy auditing-related jobs that will be created as a result of the energy efficiency programs that were recently approved by the Board of Public Utilities.

"Through Governor Corzine's leadership, employers in New Jersey are creating new, good-paying jobs in energy efficiency. The Green Job Training Partnership program was established to prepare the workforce needed to implement the Governor's vision for a greener New Jersey," said Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow.

Today's graduates were trained by the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District in Newark, one of New Jersey's four Green Job Training Partnership programs.  These graduates completed an intensive series of training courses to prepare them for new entry-level jobs in the field of energy auditing and energy efficiency.   Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District graduates completed training in courses such as energy efficiency assistance, environmental living, green building construction and basic math and reading skills.

"New Jersey's Energy Master Plan has aggressive energy efficiency goals for the state," said Baye Adofo-Wilson, Executive Director of the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District.

"There is going to be a significant demand for workers in the energy efficiency field. Our green job training program helps ensure that New Jersey's workforce will have the skills needed to participate in the green economy." 

"The Green Jobs Training Program is equipping people with the skills to land a good job in the energy-efficiency area, is helping support our state's efforts to get the economy going in these difficult times, and is providing our company with a pool of trained job candidates," said Ralph LaRossa, president and COO of PSE&G.  "A number of the graduates of these programs already are working for PSE&G, helping us provide universal access to energy efficiency.  Many more will join our workforce shortly as we staff up to provide audits and energy efficiency measures to customers in our urban areas."   

Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), recognizing the growing demand for energy auditors, plans to hire 100 workers trained through the state's Green Job Training Partnership Program.

Governor Corzine's Energy Master Plan includes plans for maximizing the State's energy conservation and energy efficiency to achieve reductions in energy consumption of at least 20% by 2020; reducing peak demand for electricity by 5,700 MW by 2020; achieving 30% of the State's electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020 and investing in innovative clean-energy technologies and businesses to stimulate the industry's growth in New Jersey.  The plan also calls for harnessing offshore energy resources located on the Outer Continental Shelf putting New Jersey in line to be the first state in the country with Off-Shore Wind. 

"While Governors across the country consider how to handle the serious energy challenges before our nation, Governor Corzine has already responded by developing an Energy Master Plan that puts New Jersey at the forefront in combating global warming and developing an energy environment that is responsible to both the economy and the environment," said President Jeanne Fox, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  "Public policy makers working in collaboration with private and non-profit partners are the key to driving green job growth, and ensuring we have a workforce prepared to fulfill the Governor's ambitious energy agenda."

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