Clean Energy 2A Workforce Training Program

Seven participants from Plumas County and one from Sierra County recently had the opportunity to complete the Clean Energy 2A Workforce Training Program. The training was provided by Richard Heath & Associates and funding for the program came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The course consisted of forty hours of online Weatherization training and 32 hours of hands-on lab. The lab portion trained participants on troubleshooting and repair of residential propane and natural gas appliances.

Participants utilized the Plumas Work Connection’s computer lab or worked at home to complete the online training. RHA transported their ‘mobile lab’, a converted diesel trailer, to Quincy where participants received ‘hands-on’ experience inspecting and troubleshooting propane and natural gas appliances.

Specific course material included such topics as environmental hazards and basic safety, customer service, construction basics, blower door testing, weatherizing mobile homes, managing combustion appliance safety and introduction to building analysis.
One participant commented, “I am thankful for the opportunity to update my skills. Without this program, I would not have been able to begin full time employment and remain in Plumas County.”

 

 

 

Success Story – Amanda Barnes

Plumas Work Connection’s client, Amanda Barnes-Turner, reported in the March 2010 Community Coordinator Reports, was recently sworn in to the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit at the new Plumas-Sierra Courthouse in Portola, California.

Amanda was part of the Sierra Pacific mill closure in May 2009 and utilized the training opportunity to complete Butte College’s Law Enforcement Academy. Amanda stayed focused on her goal. She showed determination and follow through to complete the rigorous training program. Amanda actively searched law enforcement job positions throughout Northern and Central California. She began full time employment in Plumas County in February 2010.

We are excited to have had the opportunity to assist Amanda in reaching her employment goals and she is a Plumas Work Connection Success Story.

Submitted by Brent Cunningham

AFWD’s Weatherization Technician Internships
with
Plumas County Community Development Commission

In May of this year, the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. placed two interns with the Plumas County Community Development Commission (PCCDC). After completing their week of Weatherization training at the Cleantech Innovation Center in Oroville, Rodney Cottle and Travis Burkhead spent five and a half months as Weatherization Technicians with PCCDC installing energy efficient measures in eligible homes all over Plumas County.

The energy efficient measures offered by PCCDC’s weatherization scheme gave the interns valuable experience in many areas; including weather stripping, repairing and replacing doors and windows, installing carbon monoxide alarms and whole house programmable thermostats for furnace heaters, caulking and conducting blower door testing. Combined with excellent work behavior, a high level of proficiency was displayed by both interns as they achieved each of the skills outlined in their training plans. This has led to Rodney and Travis accepting offers of full-time employment with PCCDC.

Travis and Rodney received training from their supervisor in blower door testing

The success of these internships highlights the value of ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) dollars being put to use in Plumas County.


Rodney using a mitre saw in the mobile workshop

Both of the interns derived a great deal of satisfaction from providing PCCDC’s clients with a far more comfortable and energy efficient living environment. On a recent site visit it was extremely clear to see how satisfied and delighted the home owner was with Travis and Rodney’s work.

Submitted by Jan Prichard

 

 

 

Chester-Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce
"Going Green" Project

In the summer of 2010 the Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. (AFWD) provided the Chester-Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce with four interns to work on the “Going Green” project. These interns were students from Feather River College’s nationally recognized Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) club.

The interns were part of a collaborative effort to develop and promote local chamber member websites, while encouraging community sustainability through environmental awareness and efficiency. The SIFE students utilized the Chamber Nation digital network of Traffic Catcher Websites to complete the program.

During the course of their internship the students were able to complete Traffic Catcher Sites for 88 businesses. Many 0f those businesses are now displayed on the “Green Business Search Engine” Green Business Chamber - Green Business Directory after completing their “Going Green” commitment.

Please find below some examples of the sites that were completed by the interns:

Pier 142

Coffee Station

Lake Almanor Tow

BNB Books

Blue Goose Fine Art Gallery

Commenting on their success, the interns said they were pleased to have cultivated their public relations skills through networking with local community figures. They also realized innovative ways to be environmentally sustainable that can be utilized by other Chamber Nation Members. The students, who are aspiring to leadership roles in the workforce, felt that learning how a community is managed was an invaluable and rewarding experience.

submitted by Jan Prichard