Target 14
Double The Number Of Low- And High-Skill Green Jobs
Sustainability Drives Economic Development in Philadelphia
Greenworks frames the growth of green industries as a priority for economic development in the city and region. Since its release, public, private, and institutional partners have advanced a range of initiatives designed to grow the green jobs base in Philadelphia.
After a highly competitive process, in September of 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy selected the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC) to serve as the new national energy research and development hub. Led by Penn State University, over 70 academic, commercial, financial, and community partners joined forces to secure $129 million in federal grants and create GPIC at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. GPIC solidifies the region’s position as a leader in energy efficiency research and development, stimulates economic development in Philadelphia, and creates local jobs.
In the past year, U.S. Department of Labor grants funded a variety of green job training programs throughout Philadelphia. At the Energy Coordinating Agency Green Jobs Training Center, opened in March 2010, 978 workers received training as weatherization workers, building analysts, and insulation experts. This newly trained workforce repaired over 5,000 heating systems, provided energy conservation services for more than 3,000 homes, and led weatherization workshops for nearly 8,000 Philadelphians.
To maximize the impact of investments in green job training, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (MOS) and Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board will lead a regional green industry and employment survey over the summer of 2011. MOS is also collaborating with the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia to conduct a study of demand for energy efficiency services. Together, these studies will help realign Target 14 to more accurately reflect current economic and workforce conditions.
