Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $11.6 million in funding has been provided to support clean energy industry workforce development initiatives in New York State. The funding will largely support the efforts to connect workers to opportunities for jobs in the clean energy economy through upskilling and training with a focus on serving those who are traditionally underrepresented, especially within disadvantaged communities. The announcement was made on May 21.
“As we develop a clean energy economy in New York State, we’re ensuring that we have a workforce ready and able to fill the needed jobs of tomorrow,” Hochul said. “This funding will support critical programs for New Yorkers looking to develop skills in the emerging energy sector so that everyone can participate in our green energy future.”
Four workforce training programs are set to be launched and will be administered by the NYSDOL and the NYPA. These training programs will teach services that include transportation, childcare, stable housing, food and other support. The goal of these programs is to train workers to help participants overcome obstacles.
NYPA and NYSDOL will collaborate on programs related to workforce training, retraining and apprenticeships related to preparing workers for employment and work in the renewable energy field, as well as programs to train or retrain utility workers.
In this first tranche of spending, NYPA will provide NYSDOL with $5 million to expand or create clean energy training programs and pre-apprenticeship opportunities and provide wraparound services for individuals participating in them. Projects supported must provide training or pre-apprenticeship programs in building electrification, renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, or energy intensive industries. To learn more, visit the OJET webpage.
NYSDOL also will receive $4 million to create opportunities for local workforce development boards to support transitioning and residential workers. The funds will support transitioning workers in either upskilling or reskilling for the renewable energy field from fossil fuel jobs, as well as provide residential worker support in the areas of weatherization and building performance. The funds will include wrap around services that will aid with childcare, transportation, housing stability, food, mental health services, substance use treatment and life-skills training.
In addition, the Power Authority, as part of its workforce development priorities, has plans to invest $2.6 million to launch two workforce development initiatives.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner and Climate Action Council Member Roberta Reardon said, “Workforce development remains a high priority to Governor Hochul’s strategic plan to expand New York State’s clean energy economy. This funding will provide New Yorkers with the skills they need to be successful in jobs that are paving the way for an environmentally responsible future for our great state.”
NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Preparing the state’s workforce for the growing renewable energy field is a critical step in transitioning to a clean energy economy in New York. We are eager to collaborate with the Department of Labor and local and regional communities to develop workforce training programs that will qualify New Yorkers, especially those in disadvantaged communities, to work in the renewable energy field. Together we will fill gaps in the labor market with new energy industry workers that will help us meet the long-term electricity needs of New York consumers and businesses for decades to come.”