General Motors in Detroit, Goodwill Announce Green Jobs Collaboration – DBusiness Magazine

General Motors Co. in Detroit and Goodwill Industries International, a Maryland-based workforce development agency with offices throughout metro Detroit, are expanding their work together to enhance clean energy and skilled trades training programs across the U.S.

As part of the effort, GM will provide grant funding for 10 local Goodwill organizations to invest in workforce training programs for in-demand, entry-level skilled trades jobs, including the new Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator.

Goodwill and Accenture announced the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator, a co-designed clean energy jobs program, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Forward event last October. The collaboration was created to prepare the workforce for the clean energy job growth that is predicted to continue to expand in the future.

It is expected that electric vehicle infrastructure jobs will be in high demand by 2035. With continued support from Accenture, and with expertise from training partners ChargerHelp, GRID Alternatives and BlocPower, GM is providing a grant that will scale the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator to more locations.

“This grant will contribute to the long-term development of a cutting-edge jobs training program and will help individuals gain living wage employment,” says Steven C. Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill. “GM’s support of our skilled trades and clean energy programs helps Goodwill open new doors and strengthens the opportunities we provide to our job seekers.”

Four Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator locations launched training programs this year in Detroit, Atlanta, Houston, and Nashville, with a goal to grow to 20 cities and train 7,000 job seekers by 2030.

Trainees are certified for jobs involving solar and storage, electric vehicle charging or heat pumps and energy efficiency. In addition to the four markets mentioned above, GM funding will teach career skills and technical training for a variety of automotive-related skilled trade fields in other areas, including Battle Creek; South Bend and Indianapolis, Ind.; St. Paul, Minn.; Charlotte, N.C.; Milwaukee, Wisc.; and Chicago.

“General Motors believes in a future with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” says Hal Garling, head of grantmaking for corporate giving at GM. “Investments in our zero emissions future extend into the community and are in collaboration with workforce experts like Goodwill. We’re especially excited for the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator’s launch in more communities and the promise it holds for advancing the future of charging infrastructure across the country.”

The Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator is designed to fill a talent gap by providing people with the relevant skills and certifications required for clean energy jobs that offer opportunities for higher wages and better career advancement.

Goodwill seeks to create equitable access to economic opportunity during the clean energy transition and will proactively train job seekers who are underemployed or unemployed. Trainees are paid as they learn through intensive, hands-on, competency-based training with tailored employment readiness and career placement services.