By Karen Robes Meeks
Oakland area residents looking at a career in the environmental construction trades may benefit from a $70,000 grant from the Port of Oakland.
In an effort to meet the future labor demands of port development projects, the port recently awarded the grant to Oakland-based Rising Sun Energy Center, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding low-income adults obtain careers in the construction, energy efficiency, and solar industries.
“The Port is excited to work with Rising Sun Energy Center as we continue to expand our community partnerships to prepare local residents for careers in construction,” said Port of Oakland Social Responsibility Division Director Amy Tharpe. “They specialize in developing a sustainable workforce pipeline into eco-friendly industries.”
The money comes from a project labor agreement stipulation that requires port contractors to pay into a Social Justice Trust fund that nurtures workforce development.
Groups such as Cypress Mandela Training Center, Youth Employment Partnership and the West Oakland Job Resource Center have received about $560,000 since 1999.
“We look forward to working with the Port to provide good-paying local jobs,” said Rising Sun Energy Center Executive Director Jodi Pincus. “Our eco-literacy training will prepare workers for jobs that are currently in demand.”
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
