County to train veterans to help with weatherization efforts
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Allegheny County wants to make sure that local veterans have the skills to do the kind of residential weatherization work that can be paid for with federal economic stimulus funds.
Veterans who qualify for the free job-training program will take classes at the community college that lead to state certification in techniques for making homes and apartments more energy efficient.
"Allegheny County is proud to expand our efforts to provide the men and women who have served our country with access to quality job training and employment opportunities," county Executive Dan Onorato said in a statement announcing the program.
The name of the new program -- Resources Available for Military Personnel to Upgrade Proficiencies -- forms an acronym: "RAMP UP." Teaming up with the county are PA CareerLink and Community College of Allegheny County.
Allegheny County has about 135,000 veterans. That number is the second largest for any county in the country behind Orange County, Calif. Between 30 percent and 40 percent of those veterans are from the post-Vietnam era and are most likely to benefit from the new effort, according to Ron Conley, manager of the county's Veterans' Services office.
RAMP UP includes two elements. First, it will offer free courses for veterans interested in becoming weatherization workers or energy auditors. Second, it will assist veterans who own businesses to become certified weatherization contractors.
PA CareerLink will screen veterans interested in the program. The community college will provide the training and certification through its Green Institute. Both efforts will be funded by funded by federal economic stimulus money.
Additional information on the training program is available by calling Veterans' Services at 412-621-4357.
Veterans who become certified in weatherization techniques should not lack for work.
First Published April 26, 2010 12:00 am
