Denver Invests More Than $2 Million to Create Green Workforce, Providing Career Pathways in a Growing Clean Energy Industry

Community College of Denver (CCD) was awarded a $440,773.00 grant by the Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR). The grant is part of a $2.1 million-dollar green workforce development initiative to provide access to quality green jobs with livable wages and benefits from employers.

CCD was named one of six awardees, which also included Denver Public Schools, Energy Efficiency Business Coalition, GRID Alternatives, International Facilities Management Association and Mile High Youth Corps.

CASR, in partnership with Denver Economic Development and Opportunity, issued funding to expand equitable access to jobs in the green economy through workforce development and employment opportunities for Denver residents. The entities awarded the grant will provide outreach, education, up-skilling, re-skilling, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Awardees will also reduce or eliminate barriers to employment for people from under-resourced communities, people of color and workers from industries in transition.

Individuals who participate in a green workforce development program will have access to quality green jobs with livable wages and benefits from employers. Partnership services offered through CCD and the construction workforce development coalition WORKNOW will allow new job seekers and incumbent workers to build skills and competitiveness in the workforce, and expand existing pathways in skilled trades and professional services to include green building technologies.

“This partnership will allow CCD and our WORKNOW partners to educate and train priority populations into high-demand green energy career pathways over the course of three years,” said Katrina Wert, Executive Director of Workforce and Community Partnerships. “The goal of this program is to create career connections and employment success for people from under-resourced communities and CCD is honored to be chosen to be part of this exciting project.”

A green workforce provides a variety of career pathways that directly contribute to moving our city and the built environment toward sustainability and resiliency. This includes current jobs that require new skills to meet green standards, jobs that are in higher demand because of green initiatives, and entirely new and evolving occupations.

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About Community College of Denver

Community College of Denver (CCD) is a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver. CCD provides cost-effective, high-quality college education, along with access and opportunity for non-traditional students, workforce development, training resources for local organizations, and community partnerships. CCD is a federally funded Hispanic Serving and designated Military Friendly Institution. Learn more at ccd.edu.