NYSERDA Pursuing Federal Grant to Support the New York Community Colleges Energy Equity Consortium to Ramp Up Training and Job Preparation for 3,500 New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $25 million statewide federal grant proposal supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of Labor and the New York Community Colleges Energy Equity Consortium. This proposal will take a multi-faceted approach to reskill and train New Yorkers, including displaced workers in the fossil fuel sector and members of disadvantaged communities, for new clean energy job opportunities. Additionally, the proposal will support community colleges with industry-driven curriculum development and microcredentialing and provide a host of wraparound services to assist individuals with career success. The work under this proposal supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) to deliver 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of benefits from clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities and secure a just transition.

"This is the first-of-its-kind public-private statewide collaborative that reflects a joint commitment from government, industry, labor, education, manufacturing, and community-based organizations to prepare individuals from disadvantaged communities for New York's clean energy transition," Governor Hochul said. "To train New York's workforce of the future, we need to think creatively so we can leverage existing expertise and resources to grow this new and exciting sector - and once again - New York State is leading the way forward."

On behalf of the statewide collaborative, NYSERDA submitted a $25 million proposal for a funding opportunity through the U.S. Economic Development Association's (EDA) Good Jobs Challenge. NYCCEE, a consortium of 24 SUNY/CUNY community colleges, employers, community-based organizations, unions, faith leaders and state and local government, will focus existing resources and explore opportunities to leverage state, federal and private funding to develop new training and career preparation in building electrification, offshore wind, solar, and advanced manufacturing. Each of the sectors will be led respectively by the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and the Manufacturing Association of Central New York (MACNY). NYSERDA and NYSDOL will inform this effort to ensure it aligns with the recommendations of the New York State Climate Action Council and the Just Transition Working Group, as well as with the state's overall workforce goals and objectives.

NYSERDA President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, "It's clear that the work we are doing in New York State to bolster green job training and workforce development, especially through a comprehensive framework like this, is exactly what needs to be done nationally to ensure that all individuals from every community have the same opportunities to participate in the clean energy transition. NYSERDA is proud to help lead this effort and will continue our efforts to build a bright future for New York's clean energy workforce."

Additionally, participating CUNY/SUNY colleges will work together to develop curricula and pre-apprenticeships, structure distance and hybrid learning offerings, and build classes and programs that tap into their respective strengths. Credentials in clean energy will be developed by NYCCEE with active participation from industry advisors and environmental justice experts. Participants will also be offered wrap-around services in transportation, daycare, counseling, and other areas determined by local need.

"SUNY Monroe is thrilled to be part of this opportunity to help forge a robust curriculum-sharing and training system among colleges that will create substantial benefits for students from economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized backgrounds," said MCC President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna. "NYCCEE's important partnerships will help provide career paths to all who want them in the clean energy economy." 

Under NYSERDA's EDA proposal, NYCCEE will train 2,000 new workers and reskill 1,500 existing workers followed by placement in quality, well-paying clean energy jobs, with a special focus on reaching underserved communities and priority populations.

The full release is available on the <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-25-million-proposal-transition-existing-workers-and-train">governor's website</a>.

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MCC Daily Tribune

Gov. Hochul Announces $25M Proposal to Transition Existing Workers and Train Individuals for Clean Energy Jobs

The following news release came from the governor's office on Feb. 17:

NYSERDA Pursuing Federal Grant to Support the New York Community Colleges Energy Equity Consortium to Ramp Up Training and Job Preparation for 3,500 New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $25 million statewide federal grant proposal supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of Labor and the New York Community Colleges Energy Equity Consortium. This proposal will take a multi-faceted approach to reskill and train New Yorkers, including displaced workers in the fossil fuel sector and members of disadvantaged communities, for new clean energy job opportunities. Additionally, the proposal will support community colleges with industry-driven curriculum development and microcredentialing and provide a host of wraparound services to assist individuals with career success. The work under this proposal supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) to deliver 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of benefits from clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities and secure a just transition.

"This is the first-of-its-kind public-private statewide collaborative that reflects a joint commitment from government, industry, labor, education, manufacturing, and community-based organizations to prepare individuals from disadvantaged communities for New York's clean energy transition," Governor Hochul said. "To train New York's workforce of the future, we need to think creatively so we can leverage existing expertise and resources to grow this new and exciting sector - and once again - New York State is leading the way forward."

On behalf of the statewide collaborative, NYSERDA submitted a $25 million proposal for a funding opportunity through the U.S. Economic Development Association's (EDA) Good Jobs Challenge. NYCCEE, a consortium of 24 SUNY/CUNY community colleges, employers, community-based organizations, unions, faith leaders and state and local government, will focus existing resources and explore opportunities to leverage state, federal and private funding to develop new training and career preparation in building electrification, offshore wind, solar, and advanced manufacturing. Each of the sectors will be led respectively by the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA), the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and the Manufacturing Association of Central New York (MACNY). NYSERDA and NYSDOL will inform this effort to ensure it aligns with the recommendations of the New York State Climate Action Council and the Just Transition Working Group, as well as with the state's overall workforce goals and objectives.

NYSERDA President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, "It's clear that the work we are doing in New York State to bolster green job training and workforce development, especially through a comprehensive framework like this, is exactly what needs to be done nationally to ensure that all individuals from every community have the same opportunities to participate in the clean energy transition. NYSERDA is proud to help lead this effort and will continue our efforts to build a bright future for New York's clean energy workforce."

Additionally, participating CUNY/SUNY colleges will work together to develop curricula and pre-apprenticeships, structure distance and hybrid learning offerings, and build classes and programs that tap into their respective strengths. Credentials in clean energy will be developed by NYCCEE with active participation from industry advisors and environmental justice experts. Participants will also be offered wrap-around services in transportation, daycare, counseling, and other areas determined by local need.

"SUNY Monroe is thrilled to be part of this opportunity to help forge a robust curriculum-sharing and training system among colleges that will create substantial benefits for students from economically disadvantaged and historically marginalized backgrounds," said MCC President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna. "NYCCEE's important partnerships will help provide career paths to all who want them in the clean energy economy."

Under NYSERDA's EDA proposal, NYCCEE will train 2,000 new workers and reskill 1,500 existing workers followed by placement in quality, well-paying clean energy jobs, with a special focus on reaching underserved communities and priority populations.

The full release is available on the governor's website.

Hency Yuen-Eng
Government and Community Relations
02/18/2022