Beloit Program Trains Young Workers For Green Jobs

'Energy Advocates' Conduct Free Energy Audits Of Homes

Updated: 7:16 pm CDT July 29, 2009

MADISON, Wis. -- President Barack Obama promised green jobs to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and those federal stimulus dollars are the focus of a new program in Beloit that's putting young people to work and saving energy.

Members of a team of five from the Beloit area are called Energy Advocates. They are all between 18 and 24 years old, and their job is teaching others to save energy and money.

"(We remind people to) turn off their appliances when they're not using them. You're still pulling energy in just because they're plugged in," said Sharome Crawford.

Crawford uses devices like kilowatt readers, energy efficient light bulbs, low-flow shower heads and sink aerators to help residents cut costs.

"You're going to have the full capacity of water, and it's going to keep your bills low," he said, displaying the low-flow sink aerator.

The Department of Workforce Development program gives these young workers training for future careers.

"With these recovery dollars, we are coming into older neighborhoods around the state, neighborhoods with young people who really need jobs and the chance to have job skills, mentoring and coaching," said DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman.

DWD is using $158,000 in recovery money to fund the costs and wages of the project.

It didn't cost DeCarlos Nora a dime for his home's energy audit.

"It was free. (I paid) nothing. They bring the light bulbs; they bring the shower heads," said Nora.

Improvements made at Nora's home could save him up to $100 a year, WISC-TV reported.

"It doesn't sound like a lot of money until you have to spend it. That's when it becomes a lot. But yeah, to save $100 is saving a lot," said Nora.

Nora's home is the first the team got a chance to look at, and it kicked off the project in Beloit. Everybody involved, from the crew to Nora's family, said they want to spread the word on ways to save energy.

"Once I learned it, I wanted everybody to know what I know. It's good that once you get involved, you promote it and you get everyone else to get involved," said Crawford.

The program currently employs 25 workers in five communities across the state with the goal of introducing more young workers to a green career.

Anyone in the Beloit area interested in an energy audit can get more information by calling 608-295-6985.