While the Energy Department’s efforts to create “green jobs” have received significant attention – and criticism – since the collapse of solar company Solyndra, another federal agency may soon be in the spotlight for its lackluster performance in stimulating the economy through employment in the green technology sector.
The Labor Department’s “Green Jobs Program,” designed to train workers for employment in the field, has placed 8,034 trainees, according to a report from the department’s inspector general. That is less than 10 percent of its target placement rate. What’s more, 39 percent of those placed already had jobs, meaning the program’s employment boost was even smaller than the full number of trainees suggests.
The IG report concludes, “there is no evidence that grantees will effectively use the funds and deliver targeted employment outcomes by the end of the grant periods.” It recommends that the program reevaluated, and that DOL recoup funds from the $327.3 million not yet spent on the program “so [it] can be available for other purposes.”
The White House touted the training program in discussions of the stimulus bill, claiming it would “ensure a plentiful supply of…Americans workers with the skills they need to excel in new green jobs.” The stimulus marked $500 million for DOL’s effort. While only
The IG’s report pulled no punches. The administrators of the program, it says, “could not demonstrate that grantees were on target to meet grant outcomes nor was there a plan to ensure that they could.”
“With no evidence to support grantees were on target to meet outcomes,” the IG concluded, “grantees may not assist those most impacted by the recession and achieve performance outcomes such as placements within the time limits set by grant agreements.”
'green jobs' hmm! what a waste!! drill here and drill now. green jobs can build when green jobs are sustainable.
Chevy has an add out where a little boy is playing with a Chevy truck, a female and male doll as his dad pulls up the driveway. at the end it says "Chevy runs deep!" What they fail to mention with no disclaimer is that, government runs deeper!
The [Inspector General] report concludes, “there is no evidence that grantees will effectively use the funds and deliver targeted employment outcomes by the end of the grant periods.” It recommends that the program reevaluated, and that DOL recoup funds from the $327.3 million not yet spent on the program “so [it] can be available for other purposes.”
Fantastic use of taxpayer dollars. Thanks, guys!
obama's expenses related to "green energy" has nothing to do with being profitable in a private enterprise, green energy or otherwise– he wants a vehicle for payoffs to supporters, and what better way!
CRONY CAPITALISM UPDATE: http://firstgenam.blogspot.com/2011/09/you-are-in…
This useless administration and the Democratic lead Congress, when given the opportunity to focus on the economy, sought to advance political idealogies of Healthcare and psuedo environmental legislation
what scares me is this government intrusion taking over our control of our personal health care when the world is so concerned about over population! Since Obama's been in office, 4 close people have died and alot of it was observed neglect in all 4 cases! Over staffing, miscommunication, lack of communication and misleading information. Ages varied between 40 and 89. None had the same doctor, two had the same health care facility. They're gone from the earth! It was horrific how they left! Needless suffering and sacrifice!! this obamacare or whatever they call it today has nothing to do with the quality of care and everything to do with government make work to increase the employment rate.
We can start sighing in relief! This President, his administration and the Democratic plutocrats are sinking in the pit of their erroneous political objectives. This Pesident may just step down as his policies are so out of touch with how this country was designed to run by our Founding Fathers. He cannot take rejection but must have his insecure egocentric disparingly slow witted inner man child constantly reaffirmed. A man whose job experience was pep talks and handing out leaflets, does not a President make.