By Khalida Sarwari
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is promoting clean energy investment as a major component in revitalizing the economy during her visit to the Bay Area this week.
The labor secretary was in San Jose on Thursday to tour a green job training program at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s operating division.
On the two-hour tour, Solis listened as operators and mechanics told her about the new skills they have learned as part of the program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“When I’m asked what is a green job, I say you can touch it,” Solis said as she reached out and touched a hybrid bus behind her.
VTA recently added 90 hybrid buses and is encouraging mechanics to learn sophisticated computer programs to maintain the fleet.
The program teaches current workers skills to help prepare them for the future and to advance in their careers.
“The real message today is job creation and how support for green jobs can bring change on the ground,” Solis said.
One bus operator who has worked for VTA for 15 years said the agency changed her life, because she was able to save money to send her children to college.
“I feel like VTA took a chance on me and now I have a chance to pay it forward,” said Shannon Arms.
This morning, Solis was scheduled to speak about worker rights and labor issues at the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Convention in Oakland, and then visit the headquarters of Jamba Juice in Emeryville to discuss career opportunities in the food industry for young people.