The Labor Department has awarded 17 grants totaling more than $7.5 million to train approximately 3,000 military veterans for civilian careers, Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis announced July 1.

The grants, which are being awarded under DOL's Veterans' Workforce Investment Program, will emphasize training for green jobs, Solis said. Fields of employment include energy efficiency and renewable energy, modern electric-power development, and clean vehicles.

The Veterans' Workforce Investment Program is administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training.

The president is “pushing for the weatherization of 1 million homes,” which will fuel a demand for green jobs, Solis said. Green jobs are likely to pay wages that are 10 percent to 20 percent higher than the average wage for comparable, nongreen jobs, she added.

The grants will fund skills assessments, individual job counseling, classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading or retraining, placement assistance, and follow-up services. The grants' performance period will run from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. You can see a full list of organizations receiving the grants and the areas they cover in the full press release.