130 National Institutions Highlight Need to Fund Comprehensive Education and Training Via Climate Legislation
Dr. Jean Goodnow, President of Delta College, met with representatives from the offices of Michigan Senators Levin and Stabenow to emphasize the need for education funding in an energy bill. She was part of a group of college presidents and leaders in education from across the nation who met with congressional offices this week to highlight the urgency of passing a plan that puts a cap on global warming pollution and invests in education for the clean energy economy.
Goodnow said they are asking for a small percentage of the funding for the bill – less than 1 percent – to be designated for education to train the workers in these new green industries.
“You can count on community colleges to quickly respond to training needs, but we must have funding for curriculum development, training equipment and staffing,” Goodnow said.
“Now is the time to pass climate legislation that invests in new clean energy technology and solutions. At the same time we must invest in our nation’s education and training infrastructure—at every level—to ensure Americans are prepared for the new jobs that will be created by the climate bill. This is what the college presidents are in Washington to support today,” said Kevin Coyle, Vice President for Education and Training at the National Wildlife Federation.
“To ensure America’s competitiveness in a global economy, we must prepare the next generation through curricula, training and programming that incorporates clean energy and sustainability,” Coyle added.
“The clean energy economy is our future, and further investment through the climate bill is essential. Every profession and sector will be affected by this green transformation. America’s community colleges can be a vital resource to prepare the workforce of tomorrow,” said George R. Boggs, President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s almost 1,200 community colleges.
The historic climate and energy legislation currently being considered by Congress will propel our nation to a clean energy economy and, in the process, revitalize our struggling economy, end our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The trip was supported by the National Wildlife Federation and partners and included delivering a letter to Congress signed by groups representing community colleges, universities, and education consortiums.
Leaders in Washington, D.C. this week include:
- Arizona: Lyvier Conss, Executive Director, Community College National Center for Community Engagement
- Arkansas: Becky Paneitz, President, NorthWest Arkansas Community College
- Arkansas: Jeff Olson, President, North Arkansas College
- Maine: David Hales, President, College of the Atlantic
- Massachusetts: Kathleen Schatzberg, President, Cape Cod Community College
- Michigan: Gary Wheeler, President, Glen Oaks Community College
- Michigan: Jean Goodnow, President, Delta College
- New Mexico: Sheila Ortego, President, Santa Fe Community College
- North Carolina: Rusty Stephens, President, Wilson Community College
- Ohio: Jerry Hutton, Dean, Hocking College Energy Institute
- Oregon: Frank Toda, President, Columbia Gorge Community College