Metropolitan King County Council 516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1000 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 council@kingcounty.gov |
Aug. 4, 2008 Phillips: County to lead development of green collar jobsCombating global warming opportunity to improve lives The Metropolitan King County Council today moved to ensure that the region is in position to take advantage of the economic benefits of addressing the global climate crisis. The Council unanimously passed a motion sponsored by Councilmember Larry Phillips encouraging the formation of, training for, and investment in green collar jobs.
“Global warming brings great challenges, but in responding to those challenges, we have opportunities for new jobs and innovations that can bring economic benefits to King County families and businesses while helping the environment,” said Phillips. “This legislation will allow King County to harness our energies in a way that catalyzes creation of green collar jobs. These are local jobs that cannot be exported to other countries.”
The adopted motion places King County in a leadership role for developing green collar jobs by:
• Dedicating a portion of King County’s Jobs Initiative funding to train low-income individuals for entry-level green collar jobs;
• Collaborating with “enterpriseSeattle” and private employers to identify the current skill requirements for entry-level green jobs;
• Working with the Workforce Development Council to identify additional resources for entry-level green collar jobs;
• Collaborating with vocational schools, community colleges, and other training providers to develop short-term, pilot curriculum for entry-level jobs; and
• Evaluating the effectiveness and appropriateness of pilot training programs for green collar jobs that may be undertaken.
On July 14, Phillips and the County Council hosted a successful Town Hall meeting at the Seattle Aquarium which brought stakeholders and community members together to discuss ways to create a green economy in King County. Ideas advanced at the Town Hall meeting were incorporated into Phillips’ motion.
“We saw with Hurricane Katrina that the perils of the global climate crisis will disproportionately impact our poorest citizens,” said Phillips. “We must take great care to ensure that low-income individuals have access to the economic benefits that will come from our emerging green economy.”
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