Resolution 080266

..Title Calling on the Committee on the Environment and the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold joint hearings on adopting a Green Job Corps to help Philadelphia create a qualified, trained workforce to support local green businesses and contractors. ..Body WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia exists to promote the welfare of citizens, and recognizes that high and rising energy prices cause great economic and social harm to our citizens and to the quality of life in our City; and WHEREAS, Recently the City of Oakland embarked on establishing the creation of the Green Jobs Corp Program, receiving $250,000 from their City Council to begin the program; and WHEREAS, The Oakland's Green Job Corps Program, creates jobs and strengthens the economy while addressing environmental challenges and trends; and WHEREAS, Piloting this program would create long-term, sustainable capacity in Philadelphia to support equitable and environmentally sustainable economic growth; and WHEREAS, Green jobs can prepare young adults to create a qualified, trained workforce in Philadelphia to support the growth and success of local green businesses and contractors; and WHEREAS, These jobs provide new opportunities for young adults with barriers to employment, who may not otherwise have jobs and careers in the green economy; and WHEREAS, Any green job program should target and recruit veterans, displaced workers, and at-risk young people to provide them with an additional tool in becoming employed; and WHEREAS, The Green Jobs Act, introduced in the United States Congress, signed into law in December 2007, allocating $125 million for green-collar job development, including $25 million for "green pathways out of poverty, would help prepare workers from coast to coast for national and state job programs to train workers in energy efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles and other green industries; and WHEREAS, Establishing an active, comprehensive citywide effort to educate Philadelphians on green economy through vocational training and job placement will provide information and services to persuade graduates to enter local colleges, union apprenticeship programs, or other career oriented options; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia City Council must begin to promote a greater public understanding of the advantages of green jobs and encourage job-training organizations to partner with employers and contractors that specialize in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, demonstrating that Philadelphia is committed to conserving energy, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby authorize the Committee on the Environment and the Committee on Economic Development to hold joint hearings on adopting a Green Job Corps to help Philadelphia create a qualified, trained workforce to support local green businesses and contractors. ..End