The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Oklahoma a $6 million green-job grant to train workers in emerging industries such as energy efficiency and renewable energy. The goal is to train 4,700 workers in two years for jobs that pay above the state's per capita income.

For the grant, Oklahoma has been divided into east, west and central sections that will focus on employer needs in those areas. To learn more about available training programs clink on the links below:

Rose State Green Healthcare Training Consortium

Tulsa Community College Green Training Consortium

Southern Oklahoma Green Jobs Training Consortium

Career Tech Statewide Green Training Consortium

Center of Excellence for Energy Innovation (CEEI) at Tulsa Community College

Eastern Region Green Consortium

OSU-OKC Green Jobs Consortium

University of Oklahoma Lean Institute (Lean & Green Training)

 

Rose State Green Healthcare Training Consortium

Program Contact:  Brian Perryman, BPerryman@Rose.edu, 405-733-7488

Program Website:  www.rose.edu/greenhealthcare
Consortium Members: Rose State College, Midwest Regional Medical Center, Senior Care Services, Inc., Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board

Training /Certifications Offered:
Green Healthcare Tools Certification (100 participants) – An orientation to introduce healthcare employees to green ideas, standards, and policies.  Based upon an assessment of the employer’s energy footprint, the workshop provides the operational tools and techniques for improvement in energy conservation and waste stream reduction.  The training is applicable to all levels of the healthcare team.

Expected start date: April 30, 2011                                Training Duration:  16 Hours

Green Healthcare Technician Certification (100 participants) – A green training program specifically designed for incumbent and future healthcare technicians, this comprehensive learning program addresses operational practices including: patient care services, identifying environmental waste, understanding the environmental impact of waste, reducing the medical waste stream, reducing energy and water usage, how to find environmental safe alternatives, understanding and utilizing 5S+1, green medical purchasing, understanding an utilizing environmental metrics, green customer service, and identifying and using available resources.

Expected start date: April 30, 2011                                   Training Duration: 116 hours

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Tulsa Community College Green Training Consortium

Program Contact:  Patrick Green, pgreen@tulsacc.edu, 918-595-7561

Program Website: www.tulsacc.edu

Consortium Members:  Green Property Funds, LaFarge, Tulsa Area Workforce Investment Board, INCOG, Melton Truck Lines, Public Service Company of Oklahoma. 

Training /Certifications Offered:

LEED Green Associate (7 participants) - Be able to define Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), understand core concepts of building to LEED standards, understand LEED application process. 

Expected start date 08/01/2011                 Training Duration: 10 days 

BPI Building Analyst (6 participants) - Building Performance Institute (BPI).  Understand basic building science, how energy transfers through a home, and understand different home heating systems. Expected start date 06/01/2011       Training Duration: 10 days

RESNET Certification (7 participants) - Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Home Energy Rating System (HERS). Understand thermal resistance of insulation materials, blower door tests and duct leakage tests.

Expected start date 07/01/2011             Training Duration:  10 days

Alternative Energy (7 participants) - Broad overview of alternative energy, real estate finance and electronics. 

Expected start date 01/01/2011               Training Duration:  2 years

Sustainability Management (60 participants) - Techniques for implementing sustainability principles in the workplace.

Expected start date  06/15/2011               Training Duration:  5 days

Driver Training (200 participants) - Principles of fuel efficiency and sustainable driving.

Expected start date 03/15/2011                Training Duration:  15 contact hours

Waste Minimization (100 participants) – Industry specific training for waste minimization.

Expected start date 04/15/2011                 Training Duration:  4 – 8 contact hours

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Southern Oklahoma Green Jobs Training Consortium

Program Contact:  Jannason Long, jlong@ecok.edu, (580)559-5859

Program Website:    www.ecok.edu/sogreen

Consortium Members:  East Central University, Southern Oklahoma Workforce Board, Chickasaw Nation Career Services, Dr. Green Energy, Byng Public Schools, Ada Public Schools, Pontotoc Technology Center.

Training /Certifications Offered:

LEED Green Associate (LGA) (60 participants) - LEED Green Associate.  3 day course designed for non-technical fields of expertise in basic green building concepts.  For students preparing for employment with companies who implement green building practices. Green Building Science, LEED 201: Core Concepts & Strategies.

National Certification: LEED Green Associate

Expected start date 4/16/2011         Training Duration: 24 hrs (3 Consecutive Saturdays)

Photovoltaic Systems Technology Technician (PVST) (40 participants) - Photovoltaic System Technology.  3 day course for introduction to photovoltaic technology and basic installation standards of PV technology in private residences.

ECU Certification: Photovoltaic Science

Expected start date 5/10-12/2011       Training Duration: 24 hrs (3 days)

Weatherization (Unemployed Worker) (WUW) (40 participants) - Weatherization Science for Unemployed Workers.  Basic environmental science, computer proficiency, basic weatherization science, blower door procedures, energy audits, and thermography principles.

ECU Certifications: basic computer operation, Introduction to Environmental Health Science, basic weatherization science, blower door operation, basic building thermography, infrared camera, operation and theory, and energy audit.

Expected start date 5/16/2011                      Training Duration: 80 hrs (2 weeks)

Weatherization Worker Enhancement (WWE) (60 participants) - Weatherization Worker Enhancement.  Basic weatherization science, blower door procedures, energy audits, and thermography principles.

ECU Certifications: basic weatherization science, blower door operation, basic building thermography, infrared camera, operation and theory, and energy audit.

Expected start date 3/28-4/8/2011                     Training Duration: 40 hrs (10 afternoon classes)

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Career Tech Statewide Green Training Consortium

Program Contact:  Greg Dewald, greg_dewald@okcareertech.org, 405-743-5446

Training /Certifications Offered:

NCCER  Instructor Certification (55 participants) –  A “train-the-trainer” type program utilizing the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum.   The curriculum is a broad overview of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for certifying buildings as “green”.  The LEED rating system is the most widely used and recognized green building rating system nationwide.  Successful completers of the course will receive a national certification through NCCER.

Expected start date: March 2011                              Training Duration: 3 days (approx.)

NCCER Green Building Instructor (110 participants) - A train the trainer program that will build on the certification of NCCER ICTP.  This will teach the instructors the green curriculum from NCCER.   

Expected start date:  March 2011                               Training Duration: 2 days (approx.)

NCCER Green Building Certification (1677 participants) - National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).  Using LEED principles and curriculum, students in the construction programs will learn to recognize and implement green standards, green environment, green construction practices and green building rating systems. 

Expected start date:  May 2011                                 Training Duration: 15 hours (approx.)

LEED Green Associate (50 participants) – LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design training.  The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has created the LEED Green Associate credential, which denotes basic knowledge of green design, construction and operations. 

Expected start date: March 2011                                 Training Duration: 2 days (approx.)

Alternative Fuels Technician (100 participants) - Training will lead to the ability to service alternately fueled vehicles such as compressed natural gas, and understand the different power outputs of various types of fueled vehicles including hybrid and solar powered.   

Expected start date: Summer 2011                               Training Duration: 6 months (approx.)

Wind Technician Level I (160 participants) - Entry level training for the wind turbine maintenance industry.  Training on the use of special tools, with emphasis on safety and tower rescue.  

Expected start date: Summer 2011                                Training Duration: 6 months (approx.)

Wind Technician Level 2 (60 participants) - Builds on Level 1 training, adding electrical power generation, advanced motor controls, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), Programmable Logic Controllers, and electrical theory and trouble shooting.  

Expected start date: Summer 2011                                 Training Duration: 6 months (approx.)

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Center of Excellence for Energy Innovation (CEEI) at Tulsa Community College

Program Contact: Patrick Green, pgreen@tulsacc.edu, 918-595-7561

Program Website: www.tulsacc.edu

Staff Members:  None employed by the grant. 

Training /Certifications Offered:

CEEI-TCC is a model demonstration site intended to develop models for alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable and green projects on behalf of the “Oklahoma Green” project and to:

• Educate and train a competitive, highly-skilled workforce;
• Provide a hub for community and industry collaboration leading to energy-efficient solutions;
• Serve to demonstrate a working example of an energy-efficient, sustainable facility; and
• Promote entrepreneurial initiatives and economic development while creating public awareness of sustainable practices.

The CEEI-TCC will:

• Establish a demonstration site with development of models that can be replicated statewide
• Provide for immediate job creation and use of local contactors
• Facilitate alternative energy and green landscape operations
• Provide LEED certification providing zero or a lower carbon footprint
• Demonstrate alternative energy technologies
• Set benchmarks for Oklahoma’s commitment to sustainability
• Institute an evaluation system using reasonable efforts that:
  • Track the benefits of work conducted through this model site during the year following development (both fiscal and environmental);
  • Convert green savings into the metric of jobs saved/created;
  • Maintain a resource of information and ideas among potential Centers of Energy Excellence and Innovation and assist in ongoing improvement efforts; and

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Eastern Region Green Consortium

Program Contact:  Mark Hays.  mark.hays@okstate.edu   918-293-5130

Program Website:  http://www.osuit.edu/academics/edtc/

Consortium Members: OSUIT, Eastern Workforce Investment Board, Northeast Workforce Investment Board, Tulsa Vet Center, Northeast Oklahoma Manufacturers Council, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, ABE/GED, Tulsa Technology Center, Orchids Paper Products, American Castings, Interplastics, Southwestern Association, Aggreko, National Oilwell Varco, O’Connor Company, OG&E

Training /Certifications Offered:

Advanced Energy Management (543 participants) - Teaching skills and attitudes to decrease energy waste.

Expected start date 02/14/2011                                           Training Duration: varies

Advanced Resource Management (542 participants) - Teaching skills and attitudes to decrease resource waste.

Expected start date 02/14/2011                                         Training Duration: varies

Distributive and SCADA (55 participants) - Distributive and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).  These technologies allow for real time data analysis and manipulation of facilities in order to prevent failure.  The training would help participants learn to use these technologies, thus preventing manufacturing down time, thus saving resources.

Expected start date 06/01/2011                                     Training Duration: varies

Predictive Technology and Controls (55 participants) - This course will teach participants to use predictive technologies to strategically use maintenance in advance of problems instead of using maintenance to react to problems.  This results in more efficient use of resources and time.

Expected start date 06/01/2011                                 Training Duration:  varies

Manufacturing Specialist (50 participants) - Basic manufacturing principles with emphasis on resource and energy efficiency.  These green skills will build on basic skills training for entry level employees.

Expected start date 07/01/2011                                   Training Duration: varies

Advanced Manufacturing Specialist (55 participants) - Green skills in manufacturing, such as decreased environmental impact, increased production and overall decrease of energy and resources wasted.

Expected start date 08/01/2011                               Training Duration:  varies

AAS Degree (15 participants) –  AAS Degree (15 participants) – Associate in Applied Science degrees will be awarded in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, Aggreko SelecTech, CAT Dealer Prep, Komatsu Advanced Career Training, Manitowoc LIFT, and Southwestern Association Agricultural and Industrial

Expected start date 01/03/2011                           Training Duration: 4 months – 2 years

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OSU-OKC Green Jobs Consortium

Program Contact:  Terry Clinefelter, Instructor

OSU-Oklahoma City

Construction Technology & Renewable/Sustainable Energy

900 N. Portland Ave.

Oklahoma City, OK 73107

405-945-3362

Program Website:   www.osuokc.edu/greentech 

Consortium Members:

• Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC)
• Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board (COWIB)
• Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E)
• Sunrise Alternative Energy
• Comfort Works
• Friends of NW 10^th Street
• OKC Downtown College Consortium

Training /Certifications Offered:

Geothermal Heating & Cooling (160 participants) - Training will focus on design, installation, repair and sales of geothermal technology using hands-on simulation. 

Expected start date: 05/23/2011       

Training Duration: 3 days on campus with course work and reading two weeks prior 

Smart Metering Technology (140 participants) - This will be upgrading of skills for individuals currently working in the electrical power distribution industry.  The training will focus on the installation, development, and use of smart meters and will help individuals gain needed skills to advance in their career. 

Expected start date:  05/23/2011

Training Duration: classes meet 2 nights a week for 8 weeks

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University of Oklahoma Lean Institute (Lean & Green Training)

Program Contact:  Dr. Marc Jensen, marc.jensen@ou.edu, 405-325-9135

Program Website:  www.lean.ou.edu

Staff Members: Terry Smith, Marc Jensen

Training /Certifications Offered:

Lean & Green Training (300 participants)

This training helps businesses maintain their competitive edge in the new green economy by profitably moving toward sustainability goals through the reduction of waste using lean process improvment.  It is intended to contribute to the overall objectives of the Oklahoma Green project in several ways:

• Process improvement projects completed by participants as a result of the training will produce direct and quantifiable savings for their companies by the elimination of environmental waste, thus contributing to the health and profitability of the company through greater efficiency.
• All employees who complete this training will receive a certification from the Lean Institute and the OU College of Continuing Education confirming that they have acquired this very versatile green job skill.
• This program is applicable to organizations from virtually all industries.  The following bullets detail some example projects that have already resulted from this training.
  • Flintco Construction – Developing a paperless development process for new construction projects.  This project is intended to lower development costs, speed up the process, and make archival and retrieval of information easier and less costly.   Copy costs alone associated with this process alone cost Flintco $750,000 in 2009.
  • Tinker Federal Credit Union – Developing a lean process for updating mailing lists and avoiding the production of mail that will be returned.  Current estimates suggest that 95% percent of returned mail could be avoidable at no additional cost with a redesigned process, and that returned mail is currently costing TFCU $185,000 annually.
  • AAR Aircraft – Wastewater sludge reduction project in aircraft washing process.  AAR is looking not only at reducing the toxicity and amount of wastewater coming from this process using centrifuges and other cleaning techniques, but is also looking at minimizing their environmental impact and cost by reusing effluent water in this process.
  • OG&E – Energy efficiency in lighting use for corporate headquarters.  The OG&E team has discovered that the lighting in their HQ building draws well over 2 megawatts of electricity, and that significant reductions are possible through minor retrofits (greater than 150,000Kw).

This training is being delivered at facilities statewide, and the OU Lean Institute will deliver it locally upon request.

Start date 09/01/2010    Training Duration:  four months, Three full days in the classroom, with three private lean coaching sessions, following this timeline:

• Month 1: Training day 1, followed by coaching session 1 two weeks later
• Month 2: Training day 2, followed by coaching session 2 two weeks later
• Month 3: Training day 3, followed by coaching session 3 two weeks later
• Month 4: final project presentations