NEWS
Proposed
Green Jobs Academy in Bucks
Above Average Jane
October 26, 2009
BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Today, Pennsylvania Congressman
Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined local business
leaders, educators, and elected officials to announce
funding and partnerships for a Green Jobs Academy
in Bucks County. The Academy is the result of a significant
public-private partnership, the result of the Congressman’s
work to bring together businesses, academic institutions,
and government players in workforce development. Major
academic partners include Bucks County Community College
, Bucks County Technical High School , Drexel University
, and Delaware Valley College . The Bridge Business
Center , located in a Pennsylvania Keystone Innovation
Zone, will serve as the site of the Green Jobs Academy
, which will provide students with the training they
need to fill new green collar jobs coming to Bucks
County . The Bridge Business Center is already home
to a number of companies working on green energy and
sustainability projects. Congressman Murphy has secured
nearly $800,000 in funding for the establishment of
the Academy.
Shortly after taking office, Rep. Murphy
met with leaders in the renewable energy industry
and learned that workforce development was an obstacle
to the growth of green energy. To address this need,
Rep. Murphy partnered with Bucks County Community
College to create the Green Jobs Academy . Its primary
goal will be ensuring that Bucks workers, particularly
young people, can participate and compete in the renewable
energy industry, creating jobs, protecting the environment,
and lessening our dependence on foreign oil. The Green
Jobs Academy will also provide shorter-term training
programs geared toward incumbent workers looking for
new skill sets. While some of these trainings already
take place, the Academy will provide a centralized
clearinghouse for these types of efforts in Bucks
County .
Private industry partners will play
a pivotal role in the Academy’s success, providing
hands-on training, support, curriculum guidance, and
help with on-site training and job placement. These
partners currently include Dow, Lockheed Martin, AE
Polysilicon, Gamesa, PECO, and Rhodia.
“The Green Jobs Academy will be critical
in fostering economic growth in Bucks by training
workers in the clean, green energy jobs of the future,”
said Rep. Murphy. “I’m proud to have fought for funding
and worked with these leaders across different sectors
to make this private-public partnership possible.
This model will prepare students to enter a new, high-tech
workforce and will remove a major hurdle to the development
of renewable energy.”
“Bucks County Community College is encouraged
by the trust placed in it by Congressman Murphy to
develop and deliver on this major new initiative for
our citizens and our business community,” said Dr.
James Linksz, President of Bucks County Community
College. “Our continuing partnership with education
and public and private sectors in Bucks County should
enable us to create a model academy, bringing the
best that each has to offer. This is indeed the right
project at the right time with the right partners
to make things happen.”
“Drexel University looks forward to
our collaboration with Bucks County Community College
in providing new instructional and experiential opportunities
for citizens and industries in our region in renewable
energy,” said William Lynch, Dean of Goodwin College
of Professional Studies at Drexel University . “By
co-locating educational initiatives at the Bridge
Business Center , Drexel University and Bucks County
Community College will contribute a new and unique
catalyst for workforce and economic development. We
are grateful to Congressman Patrick Murphy for his
support and encouragement in making this regional
dream a reality for current and future citizens.”
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Brochure Package or please address inquiries to:
Keystone Companies Group, Inc.
242 Wood Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-348-7533 (main office)
215-348-7532 (fax)
Rob Loughery: rob@keystoneredevelops.com
Greg Ventresca: gav@keystoneredevelops.com
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