United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. Expands Green Industry Certification Program

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An additional forty-five (45) UCAP Green Industry Certification Program (GICP) participants will graduate, bringing the total number of graduates to eighty-five (85) since November 2009.  The Graduation Ceremony will be Thursday, June 3, 2010, at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center – 4400 Shell Street – Capitol Heights, MD 20743, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The invited guest speaker is Linda Sorrento, Director of Education Partnerships, U.S. Green Building Council.  

GICP was expanded from six (6) weeks to nine (9) weeks to provide additional Business Skills and Job Readiness Training. Graduates will have hands-on training and credentials that will make them highly marketable to employers seeking skilled workers.  Opportunities for employment are evidenced by the number of current GICP participants who have been contacted by employers for interviews.  Additionally, 40% of graduates from previous cohorts have received employment in green careers.  GICP partners continue to provide individualized employment case management services before, during and after job placement, retention assistance, and opportunities for paid on-the-job-training opportunities.

The Green Industry Certification Program (GICP), the only program of this type in the county, is a collaborative green workforce initiative between United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), U.S. Green Building Council, Team Builders, and Prince George's County Community College. Training includes nine (9) weeks of pre-apprenticeship training, LEEDs Levels I and II certifications, Business Skills, 10-hour OSHA, CPR and First Aid.  Classes for the Weatherization Certification were conducted at the Joint Carpentry Apprenticeship Council (Joint School of Carpentry).

UCAP is dedicated to the development of "Green Jobs" that will focus on the economy and the environment. These jobs will include all types of jobs that will improve environmental quality. A new, multi-billion dollar economic sector is emerging, bringing new opportunities in green construction, clean technology, urban agriculture and energy. Our goal: to ensure that this green economy is strong enough to lift people out of poverty. Green-Collar Jobs Campaign creates opportunities in the green economy for poor people and people of color through policy advocacy, public outreach, and an employment pipeline - the Green Jobs Corps.

United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP) is the designated Community Action Agency for Prince George's County, Maryland. Our mission is to alleviate poverty, improve community relations, and maximize the quality of life for Prince George's County residents through advocacy, quality services and resources.

For a media kit or to attend the GICP graduation, please contact Alice Drew at (301) 322-5700 ext. 111 or [email protected] or visit www.ucappgc.org.

SOURCE United Communities Against Poverty, Inc.