www.randrmagonline.com/articles/84577-new-knoxville-program-helps-laid-off-workers-reinvent-selves-in-green-jobs
New Knoxville program helps laid-off workers reinvent selves in green jobs
November 10, 2009
With the help of a new Knoxville Tennessee Career Center program, about 22 workers laid off from Sea Ray Boats, Alcoa Inc. and other employers are reinventing themselves for careers in green jobs.
The center, at 1600 University Ave., has been hosting job fairs for the newly certified environmental technicians and has one planned 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 17. Companies have been invited to give presentations and meet with the job candidates, said Patrick Wade, career specialist in charge of the center's effort.
"Generally, we will be holding these every Tuesday," he said.
Two companies participated at a job fair last month. Emily Hatfield, career center manager, said she hopes for a better response as word of the program gets out.
"We will continue holding job fairs until we find jobs for this group of graduates," she said.
Then, other training sessions might be offered, she said.
"This is a pilot program," Hatfield said. "Depending on how well this goes, we may offer another class, probably in February."
The program came about after she and Wade discussed the need to prepare displaced workers for green jobs, but found there was no place to get all the different training and certifications needed at once, Hatfield said. Certification for mold and asbestos abatement is done through the state and for hazardous waste operations through the federal government. Plus, courses tend to be expensive and out of reach of people who are out of work.
The center, at 1600 University Ave., has been hosting job fairs for the newly certified environmental technicians and has one planned 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 17. Companies have been invited to give presentations and meet with the job candidates, said Patrick Wade, career specialist in charge of the center's effort.
"Generally, we will be holding these every Tuesday," he said.
Two companies participated at a job fair last month. Emily Hatfield, career center manager, said she hopes for a better response as word of the program gets out.
"We will continue holding job fairs until we find jobs for this group of graduates," she said.
Then, other training sessions might be offered, she said.
"This is a pilot program," Hatfield said. "Depending on how well this goes, we may offer another class, probably in February."
The program came about after she and Wade discussed the need to prepare displaced workers for green jobs, but found there was no place to get all the different training and certifications needed at once, Hatfield said. Certification for mold and asbestos abatement is done through the state and for hazardous waste operations through the federal government. Plus, courses tend to be expensive and out of reach of people who are out of work.
