(a)
The sum of three million dollars ($3,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Job Creation Fund to the California Workforce Investment Board to develop and implement a competitive grant program for eligible community-based and other training workforce organizations preparing disadvantaged youth or veterans for employment.
(b)
In developing and implementing the program, the board shall do all of the following:
(1)
In consultation with the Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Commission, develop a competitive process to award grants to eligible entities and evaluate and select applications for grants.
(2)
Administer grants to eligible entities for the purposes of work experience and job training on energy efficiency and clean energy projects.
(c)
In awarding the grants, the California Workforce Investment Board shall give priority to projects that include the following elements:
(1)
Specific skills gained through hands-on application related to energy efficiency and clean energy that is embedded in, or linked to, a broader occupational training program.
(2)
Actual work experience gained through hands-on clean energy project implementation.
(3)
Industry-recognized credentials and certificates.
(4)
Training that demonstrates a
high probability of placement of trainees into career track jobs.
(5)
A partnership with state-approved apprenticeship programs that promote industry-recognized skills and credentials through work experience and lead to placement in a state-approved apprenticeship programs.