New York Initiative Funds Clean Energy Apprenticeships

A new workforce development initiative is funding clean energy apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships across New York.

The training contract awarded through the state’s $45 million apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship clean energy training initiative is developing a diverse pipeline of skilled workers to meet the clean energy sector’s projected workforce needs. The effort is the result of a partnership between the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Finishing Trades Institute of New York (FTINY).

New York needs skilled workers in all clean energy sectors, including renewable energy generation, building electrification, supply chain manufacturing and clean transportation, said Doreen Harris, NYSERDA’s president and CEO.

This initiative “reflects the strategic thinking of labor organizations as they work to meet the demand for workers needed through innovative and enhanced training for skilled workers focusing on energy efficiency and building technologies,” Harris said in a statement released by NYSERDA.

Clean energy sector jobs more than doubled that of overall 2023 statewide job growth, according to a New York Clean Energy Industry Report. The building decarbonization and energy efficiency sectors remain “the largest source of clean energy jobs, employing more than half of all clean energy workers in New York,” according to the report.  

Clean energy jobs across New York state totaled 178,000 in 2023, up 7.9% from 165,000 in 2022, according to the annual reports. 

The partnership will address clean energy workforce needs and provide “building opportunities that strengthen our communities and ensure an inclusive energy transition,” Joseph Azzopardi, FTINY business manager and secretary treasurer of District Council 9, said in NYSERDA’s statement.

At least 50% of trainees will come from disadvantaged communities across the state, according to NYSERDA.

FTINY is partnering with the Finishing Trades Institute of Western and Central New York to recruit  and train apprentices and journey workers in the application of building envelope technologies and provide training for several pre-apprenticeship programs, including Opportunities Long Island , Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program (MAPP) Rochester, and Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) .

“At MAPP, we are deeply committed to empowering individuals with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the clean energy sector,” says Kareem Berry, executive director, MAPP. “This partnership aligns seamlessly with our mission, and we are excited about the potential it holds to foster growth and innovation in our communities.”

The organizations are also developing a K-12 career awareness and outreach program for up to 2,000 students and 200 teachers and guidance counselors across New York. FTINY will also partner with the Edward J. Mallow Initiative for Construction Skills, a pre-apprenticeship program affiliated with the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council to host tours and training modules at its training center in Long Island City.