ROSENHAYN — Described as “highly motivated,” 14 adult students from the South Jersey region represent the inaugural class of a statewide weatherization training program provided through a collaborative partnership between the N.J. Building Laborers, the Black Ministers Council of N.J., Workforce Investment Board and the N.J. Council of County Vocational-Tech­nical Schools.

The first 10-week comprehensive training program in the state is being hosted by Cumberland County Technical Education Center. The program will provide trainees with basic skills remediation, employability skills, weatherization training, case management, job placement and job retention.

The program is funded through a statewide grant from the N.J. Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

“The academic readiness component provided by career and technical school partners is designed to prepare completers for on-the-job success, lifelong learning and skill development in the energy efficiency industry,” says CCTEC Superin­tendent Darlene Barber.

Technical skills training in weatherization is being offered by the N.J Building Laborers Training & Apprenticeship Fund, a labor management fund of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. According to Don Howard, the training fund’s director, “the job training being offered is a combination of classroom and hands-on activity. Upon completion of the 10-week course, participants will be job-ready for careers in weatherization.”

According to Michael Maddaluna, president of the N.J. Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, New Jer­sey’s county vocational-technical schools are committed to preparing the workforce for a broad range of jobs in energy and the environment. “We are proud,” he says, “to partner with the N.J. Building Laborers and others for this statewide initiative that will put New Jerseyans to work in the weatherization industry.”

The CCTEC inaugural training began Jan. 19. The next CCTEC training will begin on June 14. Individuals interested in a career in weatherization can request more information by calling CCTEC at (856) 451-9000.

The efforts of Cumberland County One Stop Career Center and Bethel Development Corp. were instrumental in recruiting qualified participants for the first weatherization cohort trained through the cooperative educational partnership.

Statewide, the program is intended to train 600 unemployed and under-employed New Jerseyans for weatherization jobs over the next 18 months.

Meanwhile, yesterday President Oba­ma, speaking at a technical college in Savannah, Ga., highlighted his proposed $6 billion incentive program, nicknamed Cash for Caulkers, aimed at additional construction hiring, beefed up home-improvement retailing and increased home energy savings.

Formally know as Homestar, the president’s latest initiative at job stimulus is patterned after the Cash for Clunkers program that spurred financial incentives for owners to trade in old vehicles for newer, more energy efficient autos and, simultanously, aiding the flagging auto industry.

The Savannah Technical College, where the president spoke, trains workers to install energy-efficient solar panels.