Transcript Slide 1
State Policy & Green Jobs 1.0: Economic and Workforce Development Jeannine La Prad, President & CEO EARN Annual Conference December 9, 2008 State of Michigan 2004-2009 Greater Impact of Globalization ◦ Loss of manufacturing jobs; declining wages Changing Demographics ◦ Stagnant population; aging workforce Earnings tied to Learning ◦ Basic skills and credentials correlate with wage gains Less Secure Labor Markets ◦ Increase in unemployment, underemployment; bigger holes in safety net State Response to Challenges Increasing the number of jobs Increasing capital available for new firms and commercialization efforts Increasing skills and educational attainment of existing workforce Improving the quality of existing and emerging jobs Shoring up safety net for meeting basic needs State Economic Development Policies and Programs Capital Market Development ◦ Venture Capital; 21st Century Investment Fund; Angel Networks 21st Century Jobs Fund ◦ Development & Commercialization of New Technologies in Life Sciences; Alternative Energy; Advanced Automotive, Manufacturing, and Materials; and Homeland Security and Defense ◦ Centers of Energy Excellence Program State Workforce Development Policies and Programs Creating targeted industry strategies (Michigan Regional Skills Alliances) Helping dislocated workers transition to new jobs (No Worker Left Behind) Increasing access to education and training for TANF recipients (Jobs, Education, and Training) Supporting Working Families (Minimum Wage Increase; State EITC) Emerging Green Economy & Jobs: State Policy Levers Economic & Community Development Policies Workforce Development, Education, and Social Service Policies Energy & Environmental Policies Green Jobs: Intersection of Investments, Policies, and Programs Workforce Development Economic Development Community Development Potential Impact on Families, Firms, and Communities Individual/Family Economic & social Well Being Business/Industry Sustainability & Growth Green Jobs, Skills Environmental/ Community Health & Prosperity Michigan Clean, Green Energy & Economic Development September 2008 Renewable Energy Package Implemented Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) mandating state use a minimum level of renewable energy Launched 21st Century Job Fund to provide funding to alternative energy business / start-ups Creation of SmartZonesSM and Business accelerators to encourage and support alternative energy business & start-ups Providing tax credits and tax breaks for creating or using alternative energy Focusing on wind, solar, and alternative energy either through energy generation or component manufacturing Michigan Clean, Green Energy & Workforce Development Launch of the No Worker Left Behind Green Jobs Initiative The two primary goals of this initiative are to: ◦ Help companies in the renewable energy and other related sectors grow by providing them with a strong supply of well-trained, highlyskilled workers and ◦ Continue to grow a more diverse, sustainable economy for Michigan. MI NWLB Green Jobs Initiative: Objectives Increasing the number of industry sectors and businesses that have or are creating green jobs; Supporting urban renewal and the creation of green jobs and training opportunities for a diverse mix of people; Aligning and increasing the resources and expertise needed to grow the workforce capacity for these emerging and changing jobs; Investing in worker education and training to prepare for green jobs; and Increasing education and training capacity to support green job growth. MI NWLB Green Jobs Initiative: Defining Green Jobs Alternative Energy Production and Efficiency, which includes jobs in wind energy; bio-fuels and biomaterials; solar and energy storage; energy efficiency; and advanced technology vehicles. Green Building Construction and Retrofitting, which includes jobs in energy efficient building, construction, and retrofits; energy efficiency assessment serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors; materials recycling and reuse; architecture and design; land use/site analysis; building materials; and construction/rehab. Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation, which includes jobs in food systems (production and distribution); green chemistry; water quality; forest, land, and water management; and Brownfield redevelopment. MI NWLB Green Jobs Initiative: Key Investments & Activities Working with Business and Industry to Create Green Sector Skills Alliances Investing in Worker Education and Training to Prepare for Green Jobs Increasing Education and Training Capacity to Support Green Job Growth Supporting Green Jobs Related Research, Information Sharing, and Learning ◦ Labor Market Research, Green Jobs Conference, and Information Clearinghouse MI NWLB Green Jobs Initiative: Leveraging Regional Assets Mid-Michigan – Solar Array, Hybrid Vehicle Components, Biodiesel, Clean bio-fuel, and bio-energy technology; integrated manufacturing; and welding technology. Southeast Michigan – Transportation and energy technology; energy management (including wind, bio-fuels, solar and geothermal, and facilitates management); and alternative energy power generation and delivery systems. West Michigan – Wind energy generation technicians; wind turbines, photovoltaic energy, and energy management; construction technology and LEED certifications; alternative energy and renewable resources (organic farming, sustainable design and construction). Northern Michigan – alternative energy technicians; alternative energy business incubator; and government services and energy efficiency. Making Energy Efficiency a Priority New Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic ◦ Identify, develop and deploy energy efficiency programs and practices to: Reduce energy consumption, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, Create business opportunities, and Create jobs for the unemployed and underemployed. ◦ Leverage economic, workforce, and community development resources.