IBEW Training Program Preparing for Green Future
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With hundreds of thousands of its members employed by construction and utility companies, the Electrical Workers (IBEW) is working with electrical union contractors to create a comprehensive green jobs training program that weaves practical experience with classroom instruction into the union’s apprenticeship programs.
IBEW’s training program highlights the commitment of union members to transform the nation’s struggling economy through a range of environmental investments in green technology, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
IBEW locals across the country are retooling and upgrading their training facilities to prepare workers for the rapidly growing clean energy revolution. Just this month, Local 494 moved its headquarters to a new office in suburban Milwaukee, which includes a state-of-the-art training center. The center’s spacious interior will enable union members to learn how to install solar panels and work with wind turbine companies and energy utilities that supply a growing amount of electricity to Wisconsin residential and commercial power consumers.
Colorado Springs IBEW Hall Goes Green
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The members of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 113 in Colorado Springs, Colo., are living the union movement’s commitment to creating good green jobs and protecting our environment.
In late March, union members completed installing rooftop solar panels at the union hall. The all-union project will provide about 80 percent of the local’s electrical needs for the next 25 years.
The project will help save the environment and put money back into the union’s coffer. With an average of 330 sunny days a year in Colorado Springs, Local 113 expects to recoup the photo voltaic system’s $164,000 cost in short order. The solar energy system, which consists of 144 union-made panels, is a direct use system—meaning power is used as it is generated. And whatever surplus energy is generated can be sold back to the local utility company.
