The Honorable Joe Simitian
Chair Senate Environmental Quality Committee
State Capitol, Room 4038
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: AB 3018 (Nunez) Green Collar Jobs SUPPORT

Dear Chair Hancock:

The Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer its strong SUPPORT of AB 3018 (Nuñez), a measure creating economic opportunities in the state’s quest for establishment of a “Green Economy.”

AB 3018 would create the Green Collar Jobs Council, a group of intergovernmental entities that hold a stake in the green collar job effort to develop programs and strategies to train K-12, college and other potential workers for the jobs in California’s emerging green market economy.

The Council would link green jobs with existing programs, create public, private and nongovernmental partnerships to develop green collar programs, focus on at-risk youth and identify their barriers to employment. It would also collect regional market data to help develop statewide participation in these programs.

The Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce (SBCC) believes that a well-prepared workforce is critical to the state’s economy and the expansion of business opportunities for small companies and corporate enterprises. We are very encouraged by this legislation and other efforts to build this part of the economy and opportunities for young people.

Energy is a rapidly going field in both technical and profession “green collar” jobs. By creating opportunities for the development of green collar education programs, students and at-risk youth will be exposed to jobs in the energy efficiency field, which is experiencing an increasing serious shortage of qualified applicants.

The SBCC is committed to increasing opportunities for African American and other minority, women and disabled veterans business enterprises. We commend Speaker Emeritus Fabian Nunez for bringing this measure forward and urge your “aye” vote on it when it comes before.

Sincerely,
Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce

Azizza Davis Goines
President and CEO