Senator Shirley Breeden and Senator Joyce Woodhouse

May 12, 2009

The hard work and training that is going on at the IBEW training and apprenticeship program is amazing.  This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to meet with the members of IBEW.  We broke bread, ate some delicious fish at the fish fry, and most importantly, we got the opportunity to tour IBEW's apprenticeship training center and the home of the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) of Southern Nevada. The JATC coordinates with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to create local programs that offer training and apprenticeships in the electrical field.  Over the past 68 years, the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee has trained over 350,000 apprentices to journeymen status without cost to taxpayers. At a moment when Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, programs like these are essential in putting Nevadans back to work.

To learn more about the legislation that will make Green Jobs a reality, click here

This training facility not only puts Nevadans back to work, it makes Nevada a national leader in training workers to be a part of the new green economy.  On the training facility itself, they have installed solar panels that produce 47.5 Kilowatts of power.  Just outside the building they have a model Wind Turbine that generates power whenever wind speed exceeds 7 mph.  Its optimum output of 2.4 Kilowatts is at 12 mph and greater.  Watching alternative energy sources in action in Nevada was both thrilling and promising.  IBEW incorporates green technology in their training programs, requiring their members to be trained in renewable energy technology including Photovoltaic (solar panel) and Wind Turbine theory and installation. This training program is a renewable energy pioneer, but follows in a long tradition-the IBEW has been providing energy efficient training on lighting and power for over 30 years.  They are to be applauded.

We have a unique opportunity to put Nevadans back to work and create a cleaner Nevada for our children. Investing in a "Green Job" economy is a two for one - we will create a more stable economy and we will invest in making the planet cleaner and safer for a brighter future.  With community leaders such as the IBEW, we have a foundation for a green future.  We believe that it is our moral responsibility to leave this state, and planet, in better shape than we found it and green jobs are an enormous step toward making that a reality.

To learn more about the legislation that will make Green Jobs a reality, click here