Green Jobs Academy at SMOC Awarded $45,318 Grant

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center announced yesterday, July 23, a $45,318 grant to boost energy efficiency job training at the Green Jobs Academy at Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) in Framingham.

The money for SMOC will go toward upgrading its combustion safety lab, which allows students to learn the skills necessary to safely work on energy efficiency upgrades, weatherization, and offer classes for students who want to gain crew chief training.

“With more than half of Massachusetts’ clean energy workers focused on energy efficiency, we must make sure that growing companies have access to a skilled workforce as they expand in the Commonwealth,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton in a press release.

“The Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council is a vital jobs training resource for the MetroWest community,” said State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, who represents several precincts in Framingham. “By focusing on their energy efficiency training program, MassCEC is providing targeted support to prepare students for high demand jobs that benefit our environmental future.”

“Framingham has solid High Tech job numbers, but job training is an important key to full economic development.  I am very pleased that MassCEC has included the $45,318 grant to the South Middlesex Opportunity Council in Framinghamin its grants for energy efficiency training programs,” said State Rep. Chris Walsh, who represents Framingham.

“Innovative clean energy projects are advancing sustainable practices and driving economic growth in Massachusetts,” said State Sen. Karen Spilka, who represents Framingham. “This grant will allow SMOC to continue to offer the terrific programs that are preparing students in our community for jobs in the growing clean energy workforce.”

“This grant will allow SMOC’s Green Jobs Academy to upgrade its simulated combustion safety lab to become the only live fuel-fired combustion safety lab in Massachusetts,” said SMOC President James T. Cuddy. “In addition, the Mass CEC funding will be used to train 16 individuals as crew chiefs who are certified in combustion safety. Training and certification in combustion safety will ensure a safe environment for weatherization workers by enabling crew chiefs to recognize hazards that will mitigate the risk of explosions and fires in the workplace. The fuel-fired lab will enhance the methodology for teaching the basics in combustion equipment safety and increase the safety and efficiency of contractors and students in their daily operations.”

Established in July 2010, the Green Jobs Academy trains residents of the MetroWest/Worcester County areas in the latest energy efficient construction and weatherization techniques. The Academy offers training to installers, crew chiefs, auditors, quality controllers and contractor/owners, providing a career path in the growing field of weatherization and conservation. In addition, it is the only training center in Massachusetts to offer paid on-the-job training with local weatherization contractors and job placement after the trainee earns certification.

The grant is part of MassCEC’s Green Workforce: Energy Efficiency program geared toward training students for the energy efficiency field, which makes up for more than half of the 80,000 clean energy workers in Massachusetts.