(13 Apr 2009) HEADLINE: Laid-off workers bet on clean energy boom
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CAPTION: As the economy sheds jobs at an alarming rate, community colleges across the country are reporting a surge of unemployed workers enrolling in courses that train students for 'green-collar jobs.' (April 13)
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[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
[Notes:NATS UP Canepa: "I was in the construction industry and unfortunately I was laid off."]
Matt Canepa's hoping to trade in his blue collar for a green one.
[Notes:MATT CANEPA Laid off from construction: "I'm in flux, and I think there are good opportunities for solar. So that's why I'm here."]
Canepa is among several students here at San Jose City College .. Hoping for a brighter future .... in solar energy.
[Notes:MATTHEW WELCH, Solar 102 instructor: "This class is very popular right now. It is the bright spot on the future. The cost is going to be coming down. You're going to be seeing solar everywhere in the future."]
Many of the students recently lost their jobs ...
They're hoping this training will help them land a career in the solar power industry.
[Notes:RUDY GASTELO works part-time as handyman: "For now, I'm not getting that 9-to-5 paycheck, so I'm looking forward to maybe getting a job within a solar company. That way I can get that paycheck."]
And to meet the growing student demand ... community colleges across the country are ramping up green job training for the unemployed.
But right now ... The prospects in solar aren't good .... with just a handful of companies hiring.
[Notes:DAVID MCFEELY, solar program coordinator, Solartech industry organization, Solar 102 student: "But most of the employers I'm talking to, they are very hopeful that this summer they will see an uptick, and that they will be able place a lot of these students in either full time or internship positions."]
That's just what students like Canepa are hoping for when they graduate.
[Notes:CANEPA: "Everything is kind of depressed right now. It's no different with solar, but hopefully the future's bright. I'm banking on it."]
And so far ... The news is good.
The federal stimulus package sets aside tens of billions of dollars to promote green energy.
It'll also create thousands of jobs retrofitting government buildings and public housing to make them more energy-efficient.
___ ___, The Associated Press.
(****END****)
ANCHOR VOICE: Mike Gracia
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VIDEO PRODUCER: Nicole Grether
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VIDEO SOURCE: AP
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VIDEO APPROVAL: Dave Bruns
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VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: none
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SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: BC-CA--Green-Collar Education
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