Press Releases


Weatherization training program graduates first class

February 17, 2009 6:00 AM

NEW BEDFORD ˜ The first class of students trained in so-called "green" jobs aimed at providing employment opportunities and protecting the environment and natural resources graduated Friday at Bristol Community College.

The Weatherization Training Program produced seven graduates from a cooperative venture made up of the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, BCC and UMass Dartmouth with funding provided by NStar and the Southeastern Education Alliance. Twelve students had started the training.

Bridget A. Alexander, Workforce Investment Board development director, said the program now is seeking to expand in New Bedford and Fall River and has submitted a $315,000 grant application to the Massachusetts Green Jobs Act program, known as "Green Jobs: Pathways Out of Poverty." The New Bedford-Fall River program would be run by a consortium of 30 partners including the Workforce Investment
Board, BCC and UMass Dartmouth, according to Alexander.

Mayor Scott W. Lang told the graduates at a small ceremony in the BCC Annex building on Union Street that potentially there are "more jobs than you can imagine" available or coming to the region. "Washington and Boston are pumping money into these activities to bolster the economy," Lang said. "You are trained, get more training, build a resume," he said.

"Green jobs sounds like a catchy phrase," Lang said. It is, he said, about solar and wind power, pollution remediation and weatherization. "The great thing you have done is getting your training," and now, Lang said, the graduates should be able to make a decent living. "It is great work for good wages."

Alexander said the program found its pilot class of participants by putting up flyers, getting referrals and through other means. The program was for 12 weeks and during the first two weeks required 40 hours each week of classroom work. Then for 10 weeks, Alexander said, the program was 20 hours a week with students spending two full days on a job site with an experienced contractor. The students were paid $8 an hour for their work during training.

Alexander said the pilot program was funded with $40,000. She said not all of the graduates want to work right away, with some choosing to go on with their education and training. Ms. Alexander said for those who want jobs, she believes jobs are immediately available.

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