By Gitte Laasby, Post-Tribune
glaasby@post-trib.com
Northwest Indiana steel workers who have lost their jobs can re-train to become wind farm technicians and installers of solar panels and geothermal systems.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a nearly $4.7 million green job training grant for the Institute for Career Development. Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Pulaski, Newton and Starke counties will share the money with a county in each of New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said the grants were based on demand in the business community.
"A lot of what we're basing this on obviously is what the local business community is looking and seeking. We also work very closely with the steelworkers' union who has, I think, a really adept knowledge as to how they need to readily train and re-train their workers for these new industries," she said. "I have the feel that this is going to be a win-win for dislocated and unemployed workers as well."
The grant is stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
People who are interested in re-training should contact their local job centers.