New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools Comment on NEEP Report
The New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (NJCCVTS) embraces the workforce development strategies set forth to the Board of Public Utilities in "An Energy Efficiency Strategy for New Jersey: Achieving the Energy Master Plan Goals."
As a leader in workforce development for the jobs of today and tomorrow, the state's county vocational-technical schools are well-positioned to take an active role in insuring that our future workforce in well-trained to work in a new, greener economy. As the report of recommendations states, this effort will need "all hands on deck" and our schools are willing partners in those efforts.
In early 2009, NJCCVTS launched an unprecedented statewide initiative to coordinate efforts among all 21 counties to insure that curricula across all career programs - for high school students as well as adult, post-secondary students - offers the most up-to-date skills in energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity. The New Jersey Green Collar Careers Advisory Committee includes representatives from education, government, and industry. At its inaugural meeting in April, the committee identified four goals. They are:
Collaborate across counties to offer short-term training for Energy Auditor/Weatherization
The Council will lead the effort to identify industry-driven curricula that can be shared with all county vocational-technical schools. At least 14 counties are interested in offering this training to prepare individuals for some of the first "green jobs" to come on line.
Update Existing Career and Technical Education Curricula to "Go Green"
A collaborative effort will enable all 21 counties to learn from each other and our industry partners by establishing teams of teachers in multiple career areas - along with employers, industry leaders and members of the Green Collar Careers Advisory Committee -- to guide the process of identifying essential curriculum changes.
Green Careers Program of Study
This new four-year program of study would be available for districts that wish to offer a career program in energy and environmental issues, once developed.
Retraining Existing Tradespeople to Incorporate Green Technology
Unions have strong programs in place to insure members are up to date with green practices, but little is available for small business and residential contractors. The Council will explore opportunities to tap the leadership and expertise of union partners to bring those same opportunities to small business owners and contractors through certification courses at county vocational-technical schools. Training modules will be developed for key areas: General Contractor, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC.
To accomplish the goals above, the Council will be relying upon the expertise of our Green Collar Careers Advisory Committee and we are thankful to have the experience of a BPU representative Lance Miller on that body. The need for financial support, however, will be critical to the completion of the goals set forth above. We urge the Board of Public Utilities to carefully consider the need to fund training and education programs that support the goals for energy efficiency.
We look forward to the ongoing support of BPU as we work toward our common goals of insuring success of the Energy Efficiency Strategy.
Respectfully,
Judy Savage
Executive Director
NJCCVTS
As a leader in workforce development for the jobs of today and tomorrow, the state's county vocational-technical schools are well-positioned to take an active role in insuring that our future workforce in well-trained to work in a new, greener economy. As the report of recommendations states, this effort will need "all hands on deck" and our schools are willing partners in those efforts.
In early 2009, NJCCVTS launched an unprecedented statewide initiative to coordinate efforts among all 21 counties to insure that curricula across all career programs - for high school students as well as adult, post-secondary students - offers the most up-to-date skills in energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity. The New Jersey Green Collar Careers Advisory Committee includes representatives from education, government, and industry. At its inaugural meeting in April, the committee identified four goals. They are:
Collaborate across counties to offer short-term training for Energy Auditor/Weatherization
The Council will lead the effort to identify industry-driven curricula that can be shared with all county vocational-technical schools. At least 14 counties are interested in offering this training to prepare individuals for some of the first "green jobs" to come on line.
Update Existing Career and Technical Education Curricula to "Go Green"
A collaborative effort will enable all 21 counties to learn from each other and our industry partners by establishing teams of teachers in multiple career areas - along with employers, industry leaders and members of the Green Collar Careers Advisory Committee -- to guide the process of identifying essential curriculum changes.
Green Careers Program of Study
This new four-year program of study would be available for districts that wish to offer a career program in energy and environmental issues, once developed.
Retraining Existing Tradespeople to Incorporate Green Technology
Unions have strong programs in place to insure members are up to date with green practices, but little is available for small business and residential contractors. The Council will explore opportunities to tap the leadership and expertise of union partners to bring those same opportunities to small business owners and contractors through certification courses at county vocational-technical schools. Training modules will be developed for key areas: General Contractor, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC.
To accomplish the goals above, the Council will be relying upon the expertise of our Green Collar Careers Advisory Committee and we are thankful to have the experience of a BPU representative Lance Miller on that body. The need for financial support, however, will be critical to the completion of the goals set forth above. We urge the Board of Public Utilities to carefully consider the need to fund training and education programs that support the goals for energy efficiency.
We look forward to the ongoing support of BPU as we work toward our common goals of insuring success of the Energy Efficiency Strategy.
Respectfully,
Judy Savage
Executive Director
NJCCVTS
