Holland-based Energetx to hire 140 workers in 2010

Holland - About 140 new workers will be employed by Energetx Composites by the end of 2010. The West Michigan company also plans to create 1,000 green jobs by 2016, part of the 80,000 environmentally-friendly jobs Michigan expects to add in coming years.

Launched the summer of 2008 by the Slikker family, Energetx Composites is an advanced fiberglass composites manufacturer. Additionally, the company will provide engineering, tooling, design, process development and assembly for wind turbine components.

"Energetx is a proud Michigan company with a solid foundation that instead of resting on its laurels, decided to build on its strengths and expand into clean-energy manufacturing," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a state news release. "Its effort takes us one step closer to our goal of making Michigan the center of the nation's new energy economy."

Currently employing 18 workers, Energetx is in the process of hiring five to 10 additional employees to engineer, design and set-up the company's new manufacturing operations. Engineering professionals in tooling, advance composite design, manufacturing, quality systems and sales engineering are being recruited, and according to the company's Web site, the ideal candidate would be a "creative, energetic problem solver" posessing an engineering degree and project management experience in today's emerging wind energy markets.

The company expects to employ 160 people by the end of 2010 and offers medical, prescription and dental benefits, as well as opportunites to participate in training programs, health and wellness courses and recreational sports leagues. Employees also receive 401 (K) plans and may qualify for tuition reimbursement.

For additional employment information and current openings, visit www.energetxcomposites.com/job_openings.html.

Wind power blows in potential Saginaw Bay Area jobs

The recent designation as a “primary wind energy resource zone” in the Great Lakes Saginaw Bay region will likely create green jobs.

Saginaw, Bay, Tuscola, Huron and Sanilac counties received the designation Wednesday from the Michigan Public Service Commission, reported the Saginaw News.

Parts of Allegan County along Lake Michigan were also designated as primary zones, and the Saginaw News reported additional locations may be designated as well.

“Michigan has taken a giant step forward in harnessing its abundant wind energy, which has gone virtually untapped,” agency Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu said in a statement Wednesday. “Transmission companies will now be able to expedite siting of the transmission projects needed to move the wind energy onto the electric grid.”

Isiogu predicts this green, renewable energy initiative will create “many renewable energy jobs.”

Michigan receives nearly $6 million for green jobs

Lansing — Michigan was awarded a $5,819,999 federal grant to train 1,000 Michigan residents and place them in green jobs announced Gov. Jennifer Granholm earlier this week.

“This investment will train a thousand Michigan workers for green, in-demand jobs in our state,” Granholm stated in a press release. “These workers will be involved in the fields of advanced battery production, solar energy and energy-efficient building construction.”

This State Energy Sector Partnership Training grant will provide resources to Granholm’s Green Jobs Initiative as well as funding three regional project teams in the following areas:

1. Advanced Energy Storage: A $1.36 billion U.S. Department of Energy grant will be used to create an Advanced Battery Skills Alliance in Southeast Michigan. The alliance will provide undergraduate and graduate-level training and work placement assistance in the advanced energy storage field. Possible occupations include engineers, assemblers, technologists and technicians.

2. Solar Energy: A solar project team in Southeast Michigan and another team in Mid-Michigan will assist in training chemical process technicians, solar engineering technicians and installers.

3. Energy Efficient Construction: A Flint-area energy efficient construction team will train workers for Green Construction and Sustainable Construction certificates, an Associates degree and/or trade apprenticeship opportunities.

“Michigan has been at the forefront nationally in the effort to promote a new clean energy economy and programs leading to good jobs,” stated Stanley Pruss, director of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, in a state press release.

“This award will connect Michigan workers to jobs and career pathways in targeted industries, helping to simultaneously advance the State's integrated energy, workforce and economic development vision and supporting programs,” Pruss said.

Green careers span a range of professions and industries, including the automotive industry, agriculture, building and construction, natural resource conservation, energy production and research and design industries.

To apply for green job training, Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program recommends visiting your local Michigan Works! Agency.