Goodwill Awards LearningWorks Recovery Money to Create Jobs Weatherizing Maine Homes

Goodwill Awards LearningWorks $88,000 in Stimulus Money to Create 22 Jobs Weatherizing Maine Homes

LearningWorks to employ 22 at-risk youth to weatherize 20 – 25 units of housing as part of the Governor’s Weatherization Corps.  Job applications currently being accepted.

PORTLAND – LearningWorks, formerly Portland West, announced today that they will receive stimulus funds to hire twenty-two young people to weatherize some of Maine’s oldest and neediest housing stock.

The funding originates with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is administered through the Coastal Counties Workforce Investment Board through a contract with Goodwill Industries of Northern New England who made the $88,000 award.

“Goodwill Workforce Solutions is pleased to be able to quickly implement the stimulus funds to create summer jobs for youth.  We expect that these youth will greatly benefit from these meaningful work experiences and be better prepared and positioned for full-time employment as the recovery occurs,” said Michael Coughlin, Goodwill’s Executive Director.  “Goodwill looks forward to supporting Learning Works’ Youth Weatherization Program.  The chance to give youth real experience in a growing business sector will help them find good jobs once the training is completed.”
   
This summer, LearningWorks will use the award to form the LearningWorks’ Weatherization Corps (LWWC) by hiring twenty-two 18 to 24 year olds—many of whom are low-income, high school dropouts, and have been homeless.  The LWWC will participate in an eight week program that begins with one week of training including five employment certifications: NCCER, CASAS, OSHA-10, Weatherization, and LEAD Safe Renovator. Jobs will pay $10 per hour.  Applications are currently being accepted and should be sent to LearningWorks, care of Tom Kane.
   
“We are honored to have received the confidence of Goodwill Industries.  This will be an incredible opportunity for our young people to gain much needed job skills while helping to achieve the Governor’s goal of creating a Weatherization Corps this summer,” said Ethan Strimling, Executive Director of LearningWorks.

"One of my goals for this summer was to enlist 100 young in weatherizing Maine homes.  I am pleased that LearningWorks will be leading the charge in southern Maine.  Their track record is strong with young people and they have been committed to Green building for years," said Governor John Baldacci.  "Additionally, getting more homes weatherized helps Maine reduce energy costs and helps the environment.  That's why I have set a goal for every home in Maine to be weatherized within the next 20 years."

The LWWC will perform energy audits and weatherize twenty to twenty-five units of housing in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties. LearningWorks, in accordance with Governor Baldacci's weatherization initiative, will be seeking out opportunities to weatherize low-income, single family and rental properties. The selection process for homes to be weatherized will be based on reaching out to local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies and applications received by LearningWorks.  Any interested parties should also connect with LearningWorks directly by calling our office at 775-0105 and asking for Tom Kane.

At the completion of the program, LWWC participants will have logged almost 200 hours of work that can go toward their Green Apprenticeship. Achieving this credential will put the LWWC participants at the cutting edge of an industry desperate for workers skilled in green building.  Transition services will be provided to the youth involved in the LWCC.  Further, LearningWorks will help with employment and advanced training options.

For further information on the funding source, please contact Antoinette Mancusi at Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc; 725-5472.



 

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