Learn about Central Coast energy efficiency programs and how to participate at the free Central Coast Region’s Building Energy Retrofit Summit from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion, 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., and lunch will be provided. Click here to register.

The Workforce Collaborative of California’s Central Coast, the Housing & Community Development Department of Santa Barbara County and the California Energy Commission are sponsoring the event.

The summit is designed to ensure the Central Coast is prepared to meet the growing demand for home energy retrofit contractors through industry-relevant home retrofit workforce training and placement programs. The information to be discussed is critical to ensure the Central Coast will be able to regionally grow the energy efficiency segment of the green economy and effectively implement the various federal, state, utility and local home retrofit programs in 2010.

Congresswoman Lois Capps along with Supervisor Janet Wolf, (Second District) and Supervisor Salud Carbajal (First District) will speak about the new initiatives and importance of energy retrofits in the Central Coast.

Summit highlights:

» Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, and county supervisors Janet Wolf and Salud Carbajal will speak about new initiatives and the importance of energy retrofits.

» emPowerSBC

» Future green jobs growth

» HOME STAR program

» Central Coast work force

Click here for more information about the summit.

— Victoria Sanchez is a public information specialist for the Workforce Investment Board.