Free “green” training program for disadvantaged South Seattle residents
SEATTLE, WA (August 31, 2010) – The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County will launch its first-ever Deconstruction training program next month, as part of a $3.6 million dollar program, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The training program, provided by CleanEdison, will educate 40 participants in two sessions of 10 days each, with the first session beginning September 20th.
Deconstruction, as opposed to traditional demolition, involves the careful dismantling of residential and commercial buildings with the goal of preserving reusable materials, typically resulting in at least 70 percent landfill diversion. Participants will be trained to disassemble a building in the correct sequence, handle materials deftly, organize them strategically, and prepare materials for safe transport to re-sale centers, which have developed a lucrative market for reusable building materials.
The Deconstruction training is part of the Workforce Development Council’s GreenLight Project, which will provide clean-energy education and training services to 450 program participants over the next year using federal stimulus funds.
“Deconstruction training addresses two of our community’s top priorities – employment and environment,” said Marléna Sessions, CEO of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. “The training will provide residents with marketable skills needed to re-enter the workforce, and this industry in particular is a good fit for those with language barriers or other obstacles to securing sustainable employment. Deconstruction also offers environmental benefits to our community – by reusing building materials, we reduce construction waste in our landfills and conserve raw materials.”
The 10-day job training and work experience program is targeted toward residents of specific South Seattle neighborhoods who are 18 or older and unemployed/low-income, high-school dropout, veteran, or formerly incarcerated. Participants will receive classroom and on-site field training in deconstruction techniques, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and practices for construction.
Prominent clean technology training provider, CleanEdison, Inc. was selected to provide the deconstruction training in partnership with instructor Dave Bennink of RE-USE Consulting. Bennink has 17 years experience in the deconstruction industry and was recently honored by the Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) as their 2009 Deconstructor of the Year.
Case management partners Pacific Associates and Neighborhood House will conduct outreach, screening, and selection of candidates for the free training program. Residents of South Seattle aged 18 or older who are interested in participating in this program should contact Pacific Associates Case Manager, Dmitry Kvasnyuk, at 206.721.7293 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to apply.
This program is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor through the GreenLight Project of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle King County. The WDC and GreenLight Project partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and Providers of Employment and Training Programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. WTRS 800.833.6384 or 711.
About Workforce Development Council of Seattle King County: The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) is a nonprofit workforce “think tank” and grant-making organization whose mission is to support a strong economy and ensure the ability of each person to achieve self-sufficiency. Established in 2000 by the King County Executive and the Mayor of Seattle, the WDC is led by a board of directors with a private-sector majority. We oversee a wide range of employment-related programs and initiatives, serving thousands of King County youth, adults and businesses each year.
About CleanEdison:
CleanEdison, Inc. is the nation's leading green job training provider offering award-winning green education services to individuals, companies, federal, state and local governments. Our mission is to promote sustainability and green building practices by offering best-in-class education and expert advice through our customized consulting services and the largest open enrollment green training program in the nation. Winner of the 2009 CTN Green Excellence Seal for Green Education, CleanEdison is part of the US Green Building Council's Education Provider Program and an approved affiliate of the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Headquartered in New York, CleanEdison offers courses in BPI Certification, Energy Audit Training, LEED Certification, Solar Training, Geothermal Classes, Wind and Renewable Energy. To learn more about CleanEdison and to sign up for courses, please visit www.cleanedison.com
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