(WNY News Now) – Albany, N.Y. – New York State unveils a $45 million initiative to boost clean energy workforce development, offering $15 million for immediate support and addressing Climate Leadership goals.
New York State is launching a groundbreaking $45 million Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Clean Energy Training Initiative to bolster the clean energy workforce, with an immediate $15 million available for project support. Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), this three-year competitive funding opportunity aims to facilitate a just transition to a clean energy workforce, aligning with the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal. This goal seeks to direct at least 35 percent, with a target of 40 percent, of clean energy investments towards disadvantaged communities.
This initiative is designed to enhance the capacity of labor organizations to provide training pathways leading to careers in various clean energy sectors. The $15 million currently available will support projects cultivating a diverse and inclusive pool of skilled talent, addressing projected workforce needs and providing access to high-quality jobs with family-sustaining wages.
Projects eligible for funding must focus on preparing pre-apprentices, apprentices, and journey workers in clean energy technology areas, including building electrification, energy efficiency technologies, renewable energy generation, interconnection, transmission, distribution, storage, and electric vehicle charging station installation and repair.
The initiative covers a range of training initiatives, such as clean energy technical training, curriculum development, train-the-trainer programs, equipment purchases for hands-on and virtual reality training, as well as wrap-around services like childcare and transportation to ensure success in clean energy careers. Additionally, high school career awareness and outreach activities are encouraged.
NYSERDA will consider applications requesting up to $750,000 per project, with an additional $150,000 available for initiatives that include K-12 career awareness and outreach. For these projects, at least 50 percent of participating schools or afterschool/summer programs must be located in disadvantaged communities or serve a majority of students from these communities. While cost sharing is not mandatory, proposals with other funding sources or in-kind services will receive additional consideration.
Eligible applicants include New York State labor organizations, labor management committees, training centers, and active New York State Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Collaborations with community colleges, universities, veterans programs, technical schools, community-based organizations, not-for-profit organizations, trade associations, manufacturers, and equipment suppliers are encouraged.
The application deadline for the first round is 3:00 p.m. on February 7, 2024, with subsequent submission opportunities throughout the year. Any unallocated funds from the initial offering will be available in subsequent rounds over the next two years. The funding for this initiative is sourced from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
New York’s ambitious climate agenda, marked by a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 and 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, is propelled by substantial clean energy investments. These investments, totaling over $52 billion, include large-scale renewable and transmission projects, emissions reduction in buildings, scaling up solar, clean transportation initiatives, and NY Green Bank commitments. These initiatives have contributed to the creation of over 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021. The state’s commitment to a cleaner future is further evident in regulations requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035.
New York’s Climate Smart Communities and Clean Energy Communities initiatives, along with a community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities, demonstrate the state’s dedication to combating climate change and improving air quality through collaborative partnerships.
For more information about RGGI and the initiative, visit NYSERDA’s website.
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