California State University, Sacramento, is thinking green to get local construction workers back on the job.

CSUS' College of Continuing Education has turned more than $210,000 in federal stimulus cash into a "green jobs" retraining program for jobless construction workers and facilities managers.

The seven-week course administered through the Sustainable Facilities Management Certificate program begins Nov. 17. Classes will be at Napa Hall, 3000 State University Drive East, on the Sacramento State campus.

Applicants must be 18 or older, unemployed and registered with the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency.

They also must have experience or interest in fields such as construction management, landscaping, custodial services and waste management.

"We're a good option for relocated workers," said Jenni Helfrich, special assistant to the dean, College of Continuing Education.

Officials say the program is focused on midcareer professionals – construction and facilities managers.

Instructors will teach applicants how to use environmentally friendly products and techniques to incorporate sustainability in facilities management. The course will be taught in a classroom setting, but will rely heavily on project-based learning, Helfrich said.

The idea is to equip midcareer workers to advance and earn higher wages, freeing positions for apprentices and younger people who are working in the building trades.

The course comes as the hard-hit local construction industry continues to struggle in a region where unemployment is hovering near 12 percent.

University officials say the skills taught during the session will be increasingly valuable as local, state and federal governments continue to promote sustainability efforts.

"As more legislation comes to fruition, to come through a program like this to gain knowledge and skills and network with others in the industry, it moves people forward and it moves the community forward," Helfrich said.

To apply for the program, call the College of Continuing Education at (916) 278-4333, or visit www.cce.csus.edu.

Eligibility packets are available at the front counter at Napa Hall as well as through SETA's One-Stop Career Center at www.seta.net or by calling SETA at (916) 263-7891.

Nursing assistants wanted

Horizon West Healthcare Inc. staffers will hold a meet-and-greet at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Asian Resources Inc., 5709 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento.

Horizon West is hiring certified nursing assistants for its skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Applications will be available at the event.

For information and reservations, call Asian Resources Inc. at (916) 454-1892.

Fair features seasonal jobs

The Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort will seek employees to fill winter positions at its annual job fair Oct. 24.

The South Lake Tahoe-area resort will conduct interviews to fill nearly 300 seasonal positions from food and beverage to guest services, lift operations, and rental and repair services, among others.

Positions include seasonal full-time from November to April, as well as weekend- and holiday-only duty.

Bartender candidates won't be interviewed during the fair, but they should e-mail résumés to hrstaffing.st@booth creek.com.

All candidates must complete an online application at www.sierraattahoe.com.

For additional information, visit the Web site or call the Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort at (530) 659-7453.

Tell us your second act

Have you lost your job to layoffs or business closures? Are investment losses forcing you out of retirement? What's your second act? Are you retraining for a new career? Headed off to grad school? Have you landed a job in a completely new field? Are you volunteering while you seek a new job? Are you thinking about opening your own business, or have you already hung your shingle?

Let us share your story.

Call The Bee's Darrell Smith, (916) 321-1040.