Dec 27 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Scarlet Sims The News Herald, Panama City, Fla.

More people will need skills to install solar panels, weatherize homes for energy efficiency and build eco-friendly homes in the next year, the Gulf Coast Workforce Board anticipates.

The board plans to use a $185,000 state grant to fund a program to train local workers in alternative energy and conservation. The program begins in January.

"We want to prepare our workforce to respond to current and future investments aimed at energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities," said spokeswoman Maria Goodwin. "Not only is it better for the environment, but it will help our local businesses become more competitive as we move into the green economy."

The Gulf Coast Workforce Board has partnered with Gulf Coast Community College and the Florida Solar Energy Center to create the course program, Goodwin said.

The program targets businesses that could benefit from energy efficiency, knowledge of state-certified green building techniques and alternative energy, said Rebekkah Heaton, local workforce board research and development coordinator.

The grant funds about 60 scholarships for classes on "green" subjects, such as how to install solar panels.

About 20 scholarships have been granted so far, Heaton said.

The workforce board is concentrating on employed rather than unemployed workers for training, Goodwin said. The idea is to give an edge to workers already in the building industry -- such as plumbers and electricians. Training benefits businesses by making them competitive in the green market and benefits employees by upgrading their skills, she said.

Other workforce boards are considering or already have created similar programs, said Rebecca Rust, Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation chief economist. The local program puts the Bay County area ahead of the curve, Rust said.

"I think they're ahead of the game, and that's where (the workforce board) should be," Rust said.

Green jobs already are gaining popularity locally, Goodwin said. Local residential weatherization programs are taking off and the Navy has been advocating "greener " technology. Several Navy Support Activity-Panama City workers have signed up for classes in the program, said Navy spokesman Steve Applegate.

Rust said demand is growing nationwide in part because the public is interested in getting away from dependency on foreign oil. High gas prices in 2008 also left the public wanting better energy choices, she said. The eco-friendly trend is stronger than the one that emerged in the 1980s, Rust said.

No numbers exist to show how many Florida jobs either manufacture a green product or offer a green service currently, but that will change next year.

The state agency will begin surveying businesses in February to see what is already in the state and what type of green jobs are expected to emerge in the future.

Few states have taken a census of what green jobs are already sprouting up, but those that have show the industry makes up only about 1 to 3 percent of the total job market, Rust said.

With federal and state stimulus funds spurring a renewed interest in all things green, Rust said she expects that to change.

Florida must prepare now to be able to capitalize on the "green" opportunity.

"We want to make sure our workers are trained to meet the needs of this emerging sector," Rust said.

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