The Port of Oakland revealed on Sept. 26 that it’s joining forces with the West Oakland Job Resource Center (WOJRC) to train workers for green jobs in the transportation and logistics industry.
The center has received a $350,000 grant from the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program. The Port of Oakland supported WOJRC during the application process and has said that it will provide on-going technical assistance in the program’s administration.
The grant is part of the commission’s $100-million annual investment to support California communities by promoting accelerated development and deployment of advanced green transportation and fuel technologies.
“I am excited to collaborate with the Port of Oakland and its business partners on this exciting new grant for green technologies in the transportation and logistics industry,” WOJRC Executive Director Joyce Guy said.
The industry has historically contributed to greenhouse gas emissions globally that affect climate change. This grant will build upon the organization’s existing job training programs to train workers in zero-emissions technologies.
“The project’s goal,” the port said in a statement, “is to create pathways for long-lasting, quality jobs, providing family-sustaining wages for marginalized communities.”
Program participants are to be trained on a range of zero-emissions vehicles and equipment, according to the port, in order to provide them with “a unique skill set that will be in high demand as California works toward its goal of reducing and eliminating the state’s carbon footprint.”