ROSSFORD, OH - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today visited a clean energy jobs training site in Rossford to outline how a recent award of $5 million in new federal funds will help train workers for jobs in the clean energy industry. The Ohio GROWS (Green and Renewable Opportunities for Workers) project will provide clean energy jobs training to nearly 1,300 workers at 19 sites across Ohio.

"Across Ohio and right here in Rossford, entrepreneurs and businesses are leading the way in clean energy innovation that will create clean energy jobs. These are the jobs that will rebuild American manufacturing," Brown said. "We simply cannot replace our dependence on foreign oil with a dependence on foreign-made clean energy technologies. Programs like the Ohio GROWS training project can help position Ohio as a leader in clean energy jobs and ensure that our state emerges from this recession better prepared for the 21st-century economy."

The Ohio GROWS program works in conjunction with local Jobs and Family Services offices to help transition dislocated workers-many of whom work in communities that have been significantly affected by the restructuring of the auto industry-into clean energy jobs. Trainees will receive a nationally-recognized certificate from the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (NJATC), as well as college credits through the University System of Ohio. Brown will visit workers participating in wind turbine and photovoltaic training classes.

Brown also discussed his Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success (SECTORS) Act, which passed the House of Representatives this week. This bill is aimed at creating jobs in high-growth, regional industries-like clean energy in Northwest Ohio-by addressing the disparity between high unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled workers for many emerging industries. Despite Ohio's 10.5 percent unemployment rate, there is still demand in today's labor market for skilled workers. To address this disparity, the SECTORS Act provides grants for sector partnerships among institutions of higher education, industry, organized labor, and workforce boards.

Brown's legislation, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week, would help ensure that dislocated workers can get the skills and training they need to fill jobs in emerging industries-like clean energy and biotechnology-that are growing in importance to Ohio's economy. A summary of the bill can be found here.

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