On March 8, the first "Green Technician" apprentices graduated from an Indianapolis, IN training program run by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481 and the National Electrical Contractors Association of Central Indiana. After receiving their certifications, the newly minted Green Technicians displayed an array of solar panels and a wind turbine they recently installed at the Electrical Training Institute, where they received their instruction.

"Each graduate of the Green Technician program will be an Industry Certified Technician, ready to work on anything from windmills to retrofits of existing buildings that need to become more energy efficient. We are incredibly proud of their achievement," said Jim Patterson, director of the Electrical Training Institute.

U.S. Representative Andre Carson, D-Ind., and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler were on hand to honor the graduates. "It's important that American workers stay at the cutting edge of green technology so they can access the high-quality jobs that are being created in the global clean energy economy," Shuler said. "The race is on to build a 21st century clean energy infrastructure, and the AFL-CIO continues to push for it to be nurtured here in the U.S. and built by American workers."

Rep. Carson, a supporter of the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, which was passed by the House in June 2009, said clean energy is the key to renewed prosperity. "The type of training and work being celebrated here today is exactly what we had in mind when we passed clean energy legislation in the House," he said. "If the Senate will join that effort, we can put clean energy on the fast track and rebuild America's middle class on a foundation of new, well-paying green jobs."

The green technician training program is an apprenticeship program that includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Apprentices are paid during the course of their training.