Walmart Foundation's Green Jobs Training Initiative Awards $550,000 to Conservation Corps of Long Beach Grant to support local green economyGrant to support local green economy LONG BEACH, Calif, Aug. 13, 2009 – The Walmart Foundation presented a $550,000 grant from its Green Jobs Training Initiative to the Conservation Corps of Long Beach (CCLB). The grant, presented in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, will support local job training and youth employment experience in conservation projects. “With the Walmart Foundation Green Jobs Training Initiative grant, the Conservation Corps of Long Beach will expand its green job training program and hire at least 20 local at-risk young adults and 2 additional full time supervisors,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster today at a press conference at the Conservation Corps of Long Beach’s recycling center. “This grant will directly result in putting more people to work while supporting the City’s sustainability goals.” The Walmart Foundation Green Jobs Training Initiative grant will support the following:
CCLB is partnering with the City of Long Beach and the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network. Through community outreach, the City will make homeowners, landlords, and property managers aware of the program’s services. The Workforce Investment Network’s employment specialists will connect the graduates to regional green job opportunities. “The Walmart Foundation is committed to supporting job-training programs that address the need for a green job-ready workforce that will put more people back to work,” said Kimberly Sentovich, Vice President and Regional General Manager for Walmart in California. “Mayor Bob Foster’s leadership and his partnership with the Conservation Leadership Corps of Long Beach and the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network stand out as a model program that focuses on training marketable job skills that leads to employment and will help build a strong green economy in Long Beach.” Walmart Foundation Awards $550,000 to Conservation Leadership Corps of Long Beach “The Walmart Foundation Green Jobs Training Initiative grant is an opportunity to further develop our green jobs training program and help us address the unmet needs in Long Beach for low income weatherization, recycling in multi-family complexes and installation of drought tolerant landscaping,” said Mike Bassett, CEO and Executive Director of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach. The Conservation Corps of Long Beach trains at-risk young adults (18-25) in a one-year pre-apprenticeship training program that includes: 1) education; 2) job readiness focused on basic skills needed for any job; 3) training in green jobs including recycling, natural resource conservation, drought-resistant landscaping, and energy and water conservation; and 4) Corps-To-Career program that places graduates in green careers and provides job placement assistance two years after successful completion. “Our partnership with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach is dedicated to working with young adults who want to change their lives and learn skills needed for the emerging Green Job career pathway,” said Bryan Rogers, executive director of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network. “The Walmart Foundation’s Green Jobs Training Initiative grant will allow the Corps to work with more at-risk young adults and place them on a path of employment and success.” The Walmart Foundation donated $5 million to the U.S. Conference of Mayors to support the Green Jobs Training Initiative. The grant to the U.S. Conference of Mayors will work to create jobs in an array of emerging green industries. In the spring of 2009, through a competitive selection process led by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, six grants were awarded to non-profit organizations that have a history of working with mayors to train people for green jobs. In early 2010, three additional grants will be given to cities with newer commitments to providing green workforce training. Walmart’s Sustainability Commitment About Philanthropy at Walmart Ed. Note: Walmart is the legal trade name of the corporation. The name "Walmart," expressed as one word and without punctuation, is a trademark of the company and is used analogously to describe the company and its stores. Use the trade name when it is necessary to identify the legal entity, such as when reporting financial results, litigation or corporate governance. About U.S. Conference of Mayors About the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Board About the Conservation Corps of Long Beach # # # |
