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Green Jobs Bill Becomes Law

Jon Lender

June 09, 2010

Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Tuesday signed a bill requiring the coordinated development of a "green technology" curriculum by the state's public colleges, universities, community-technical colleges and vocational-technical high schools.

Under the bill that takes effect Oct. 1, Connecticut's higher education institutions must publicize the "green jobs" training they offer and work together to develop "career ladders" for the green-technology industry.

A "green" or "green-collar" job is in any industry related to energy efficiency, such as solar panels or construction of energy-saving buildings.

The new law also requires the state Education and Higher Education departments to make a complete list of all "green-tech" courses and programs at public universities and other higher education institutions — and those schools must collaborate with employers to determine what additional training programs are needed to prepare future workers.

"In recent years, we have made great strides at Connecticut's colleges and universities — changing not only the physical look of our schools but changing what's underneath as well," Rell said at a ceremony at Tunxis Community College in Farmington. "We have been improving and refining the courses of study we offer — and the way we offer them. This legislation is a perfect example of that process."