Unemployed Construction and Auto Workers Re-Trained for Green Jobs

Unemployed construction workers may be able to get some new green jobs fixing windmills and solar panels, according to Nathan Baca of KESQ News. College of the Desert, in Palm Desert California, opened their new energy training center Wednesday morning.

This lonely building near Gene Autry south of Interstate 10 is the future of the Desert’s energy industry. Somebody has to train the workers who will fix the increasing numbers of windmills and solar panels here. The College of the Desert is stepping in, opening new classrooms paid by federal stimulus dollars.

Larry McLaughlin with College of the Desert says, “East of us in Riverside County, there’s going to be large scale solar energy firms that will be constructed. When these projects get underway, I think they’re going to be hiring people in significant numbers.”

Many Coachella Valley construction jobs disappeared during the recession. The local electricians union is no exception.

Chuck McDaniel with IBEW Local 440 adds, “Construction jobs have been bad everywhere. We’re no different. We have a lot of people out of work. We’re hoping it picks up soon.”

An entry level job fixing windmill turbine pays $12 to $18 an hour, benefits included.

Brad Adams with Whitewater Maintenance Corporation adds, “Specifically, we’re looking for people who have technical and mechanical, electrical backgrounds. People who have experience in the trades, maybe with automotive. Troubleshooting is a huge key in wind turbines.”

People wanting to get jobs repairing windmills have an unusual final test. They have to pass the “tower climb,” not for those afraid of heights.

Vincent Battaglia is hiring people to work at Renova solar energy in Palm Desert, “When you’re looking at a plumber, a plumber understands water. They understand the old way of working with water. We’re teaching them how to work using solar energy to heat the water: solar-thermal. People who work on roofs, they’re the best for helping us install solar photo-voltaic systems.”

To enroll in the College of the Desert’s “Renewable Energy Training Program” or the “Wind Turbine Technician Training Program,” call program director Larry McLaughlin’s office at 760-773-2595.

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