Calling on the Greater Philadelphia Region's training and technical schools, colleges and universities to develop and incorporate training programs on the building and maintenance of electric vehicles in an effort to establish a qualified workforce of Philadelphians in regards to electric vehicles.

WHEREAS

, The City of Philadelphia wishes to become the greenest City in America by 2015 and a leader

in clean energy development and technology

; and

WHEREAS

, According to the 2005-2006 National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) the Greater Philadelphia colleges and universities produce over 67,000 graduates every year, including 35,103 bachelor degrees and 22,084 advanced degree; and

WHEREAS,

A

pproximately 360,600 full and part-time students are enrolled in the region's colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS

, Education is among the top employers in the region with the University of Pennsylvania being the top employer in the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS

, Many education institutions across the nation will soon offer electric vehicle maintenance certifications

;

and

WHEREAS

, According to the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, Philadelphia to be seen as a premier location for today's business and industry leaders, it needs to develop workers to meet the demands of today's dynamic knowledge-based economy; and

WHEREAS

, Pike Research forecasts by 2015, the United States will comprise 26% of the world market for electric vehicles; and

WHEREAS

, There will be substantial economic and environmental benefits of revamping training programs for these types of vehicles; and

WHEREAS

, The City of Philadelphia can maximize its benefits

to

the

citizens of

Philadelphia by providing avenues to encourage clean energy use; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

, That City Council hereby calls on the Greater Philadelphia Region's training and technical schools, colleges and universities to develop and incorporate training programs on the building and maintenance of electric vehicles in an effort to establish a qualified workforce of Philadelphians in regards to electric vehicles.

End