Construction and Energy Efficiency

Current State of Construction and Energy Efficiency

The South Central efforts in the Construction Energy Sector are lead by a team experts from the construction and energy sector who are joining together to identify strategies to the meet industries workforce development needs.

Industry Insight

Construction is the largest single industry in the United States. It is an industry that will require a larger and more sophisticated work force. Predictions are that the numbers of women and minorities in the skilled trades will rise dramatically as the current workforce retires. One of construction’s greatest challenges will be competing with other industries for a limited supply of qualified workers.

Sector Leadership

The South Central-Southwest Wisconsin Sage Team is working collectively to support the SAGE project and dedicate time and talent to build effective workforce development efforts for the energy related industries and workers within the South Central and Southwest Wisconsin region.

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Sector Efforts

SAGE – Wisconsin Sector Alliance for the Green Economy

The South Central-Southwest Wisconsin Sage Team is working collectively to support the SAGE effort and dedicate time and talent to build effective workforce development efforts for the energy related industries and workers within the South Central and Southwest Wisconsin region.

Together, the team has made the commitment to communicate to their individual organizations and industries the importance of creating a highly prepared workforce for the energy related industries. The motivation is based on a clear understanding that in order for the region to be a competitive player in future markets and products, we must be known throughout the country and the world as having the well prepared workforce that is equipped with the essential skills within the emerging energy field.

With the goal to establish a green energy path focused on apprenticeship in construction and energy industries, the $292,890 SAGE grant is supporting efforts to:

Expand weatherization technician/installer training
Establish an apprenticeship program that creates four new green occupations
“Green Up” current skilled trades

Construction Training, Inc. has been contracted for case management services for those eligible apprentices and/or journeymen who are awarded training and support funds to support their training in Sector Alliance for the Green Economy (SAGE)-approved green industries. Learn more about the statewide SAGE initiative at http://sage.wi.gov.

Community Based Job Training Grant – “RESET for Recovery”

A $2,290,902 grant to position new and incumbent workers to competitively compete in the recovery within the construction industry that will be generated by investment in public funds in energy efficiency efforts. Key features include:

Pre-training activities for students not sufficiently prepared to enter advance technical training provided by the Madison College Center for Adult Learning
Apprenticeship preparation and coaching provided by the Start Program
Customized job development and retention assistance provided in combination with the Construction, Inc. Start Program and the South Central Wisconsin Job Center system

Urban League of Greater Madison in partnership with START and Project Home

A $400,079 grant will support efforts to prepare unemployed and under-employed individuals for jobs in green and construction industry while promoting energy conservation in underserved neighborhoods in Madison. Learn more at www.ulgm.org

Construction Training, Inc. START Program

The Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Training (START) Program is a six week program designed to help candidates gain access to one of the seventeen construction trade apprenticeships available in the Madison area. The program works to prepare individuals for trades exams, with tailored instruction (in reading, math) to their individual skill level. The program also includes classes in OSHA safety, blueprint reading, spatial visualization and resume writing. Learn more at www.btrades.com/apprenticeships.htm

Videos

Resources

Green Jobs Connection

A website to help Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified weatherization workers and contractors find employment opportunities within the energy efficiency retrofit industry.

Green Careers Guide

Current information related to green careers, including career profiles and articles, required training for green careers, entrepreneurial opportunities, and other career references and resources.

Building and Construction Trades Council

The Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin is an organization representing over four thousand construction trades men and women in nine counties in South Central Wisconsin. They are dedicated to improving the lives of workers in the trades and their families while serving the public by providing quality and value in their building project engagements.