PROVIDENCE – A group of companies within the green industry has received a $149,000 grant from the Governor’s Workforce Board Rhode Island to study the industry’s needs.

The 34-member partnership, called the Rhode Island Green Technology Consortium and coordinated by the New England Institute of Technology, is charged with defining “green technologies” as they relate to Rhode Island industry, identifying the skills needed for workers in these emergent technologies, and supporting or creating relevant training opportunities in the state.

The partnership joins similar groups focused on industries such as biosciences, health care, information and technology, and marine trades.

The Governor’s Workforce Board officially awarded the money on Nov. 19 to the group.

“As Rhode Island’s economy continues to shift toward emerging, green industries, it is critical that we identify these new opportunities for job creation and the workforce skills and training needed to succeed,” Gov. Donald L. Carcieri said in a statement. “I would like to commend this new consortium for taking a leadership role in preparing our work force for a new economy.”

The consortium is expected to work with Northeastern University’s Center for Labor Market Studies to research the scope and the skill requirements of Rhode Island's emergent green work force; identify green technology educational opportunities; develop public awareness campaigns for green technology and employment opportunities, and support industry-wide regulation.

The group includes organizations and companies with major Rhode Island footprints, such as wind farm developer Deepwater Wind, various unions, National Grid, the Community College of Rhode Island and Waste Management. A spokeswoman for the Workforce Board said she expected the membership to grow as more companies learn of the consortium.

For more information, go to www.rihric.com.