PRESS RELEASE

South Central Tennessee Workforce Board  #8 Public Square, 2nd Floor  Columbia, TN 38401

Phone: (931) 375-4201 Fax: (931) 3817643

For Immediate Release

Date: March 31, 2010

Contact: Paige Liggett

Phone: (931) 375-4209

Fax: (931) 3817643

“HEAT” Team Honored by Tennessee State Legislators

Thursday, March 25th, the TN State Legislation honored the "HEAT" Team with a Resolution of Commendation on the House Floor. The resolution was presented by Representative Ty Cobb to three “HEAT” Team members(Delandris Moore, Michael Mulldune, and Janelle Sparks), as well as, Trent Ogilvie, Executive Director for the Columbia Housing Authority and Workforce Board Member, Tonja Garrett, Youth Coordinator for Special Projects (South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance), Dibri Beavers, Honeywell International Inc., and Kathie Fuston, Executive Assistant for the Columbia Housing Authority. “I would like to thank Rep. Ty Cobb for recognizing the efforts of the HEAT Team during our Summer Youth Program this year. Being recognized for their hard work this summer really means a lot to the young adults who participated in the program. This recognition is something they will never forget” Tonja Garrett.
The Honeywell “HEAT” (Home Energy Auditor Training) Program was a collaborative venture of the Columbia Housing Authority, Honeywell International Inc., and the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance. The eight trainees, who ranged in age from 19 to 24, were selected from a pool of young people who were participants in the "Hire YOUth" Summer Jobs Program 2009. In order to qualify for admission to the HEAT program, they were required to demonstrate strong reading, writing and speaking skills, have some prior work experience and submit two letters of reference as well as complete a formal interview.
The HEAT trainees studied green technologies and other energy saving measures that can help reduce residential utility bills. More specifically, they learned to conduct home energy audits which they performed for each of the Columbia Housing Authority’s (CHA) 293 public housing units. Every energy audit consisted of a guided walk-through to assess those areas where tenants were either wasting energy or could be more energy efficient. At the conclusion of the walk-through, the tenant received an itemized report detailing their biggest problem areas and offering specific low cost energy-saving recommendations. Trent Ogilvie stated, “The HEAT program is proof that effective partnerships can create green jobs for young adults and educate the community about saving energy.”
For more information about the "Hire YOUth" Summer Youth Program go to: www.sctworkforce.org

or contact Tonja Garrett 931-375-4208 /

South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, mental or physical activity, veteran status or national origin in educational and employment opportunities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. WIA/LWIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Any inquiries and/or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Officer, South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, #8 Public Square, 2nd Floor, Columbia, TN 38401. Funding is provided under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Pictured from Left to Right-Front Row: Delandris Moore (HEAT Team), Dibri Beavers (Honeywell), Michael Mulldune (Heat Team)

Back Row: Trent Ogilvie (Director-Columbia Housing Authority), Rep. Ty Cobb, Janelle Sparks (HEAT Team), Tonja Garrett (South Central TN Workforce Alliance)

Not Pictured: Additional HEAT Team Members, Quentin Armstrong, TIge Kennedy, Brandon Zeigler and Keventris Webster

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