2.2 Workforce Development 2.2.1 Blue Island Goes Solar Stakeholders:Blue Island residents, Local training institutions, Blue Island Marketing Department & Public Works Department Timeline: 1-5 years WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Introduction This strategic energy plan increases the presence of the green technology industry in Blue Island. It is imperative that Blue Island provide workforce development opportunities for Blue Islanders to increase local employment in this industry. This effort will maximize the positive economic impact of the energy plan in Blue Island.
projects proposed in this plan. Therefore, Blue Island should focus on providing workforce development opportunities that lead to a North American Board of Certif ied Energy Practitioners certification. There are two possible workforce development programs which can stand alone or complement each other:
1. Blue Island Goes Solar There is likely to be an increase in solar panels in Blue 2. Solar Specialists Scholarship Island because of the several
Possible Training Organizations Midwest Renewable Energy Association Grow Solar Millennium Solar Electric Solar Training National Latino Education Institute OAI Lyte Solar Program
Blue Island will create partnerships with several local institutions that prepare students for accreditation. The Blue Island Marketing Department will complete a community outreach effort to let the community learn about the opportunities available to them. Blue Island can also communicate with residents via paper flyers, social media, and at community meetings or events. These partnerships will culminate in a fair where prospective students can learn about the different training programs. This fair could be opened to neighboring communities, as well, offering regional cooperation. As Blue Island will only be forming relationships, the cost of this policy proposal is likely negligible, amounting to the cost of community outreach. However, Blue Island can pursue sponsorship from prominent employers, training institutions, non-prof it organizations, or government agencies. 2.2.2 The Solar Specialists Scholarship Blue Island will work with neighboring municipalities
and educational institutions to build a program to help residents who may face barriers to access training otherwise receive a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners certif ication. Possible neighboring municipalities for partnership are Alsip and Calumet City. The Solar Specialists Scholarship includes: •
• • •
Scholarship that covers the cost of attending classes and taking the certification exam. Transportation voucher Daycare voucher (if applicable) Opportunity to apply to a Blue Island Apprenticeship Program with Public Works (for Blue Island residents only)
Blue Island Apprenticeship Program Experience is equally as important as certif ication. Blue Island’s Public Works Department will create a 6-month apprenticeship program for Scholars from Blue Island that receive a certificate. This apprenticeship program not only helps scholars increase their employment opportunities,
