New York Approves $13M to Train Clean Energy Workers
NYPA funding will support six training programs and expand statewide efforts designed to prepare workers for growing energy careers.
New York’s latest clean energy workforce funding package will invest $13 million in training, career preparation and worker support across the state. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced July 28 that the New York Power Authority’s Board of Trustees approved the funding, including $3 million for six programs expected to serve more than 450 New Yorkers.
Another $10 million will go to the New York State Department of Labor for broader training and retraining efforts. State officials say the investment is intended to help workers enter fields such as energy-efficient building operations, electrification, heating and cooling, construction and advanced manufacturing.
“Our clean energy future depends on the people who will build it, and we’re committed to preparing them for the good-paying careers of tomorrow,” Hochul said in the official announcement.
How the $13 Million Will Be Divided
The clean energy workforce funding consists of two main allocations:
- $3 million for six workforce development programs serving more than 450 participants.
- $10 million for New York State Department of Labor training and retraining initiatives.
Of the Department of Labor allocation, $8 million will support the state’s Growing the Clean Energy Workforce Training Initiative. That program provides grants to organizations that create or expand training programs.
The remaining $2 million will support the Renewable Energy Training Initiative. That program focuses on helping workers gain new skills or move from existing occupations into clean energy careers. Funding may also provide “wraparound services,” such as transportation, career guidance and other assistance that can help people complete training and secure employment.
Six Organizations Receive Direct Awards
The $3 million portion of the clean energy workforce funding will be distributed among programs in several regions.
Energy Infrastructure Partners: $520,000
Energy Infrastructure Partners will provide building operations and energy-efficiency training for employees of Settlement House, a New York City-based nonprofit organization.
LIUNA Local 17: $500,000
The Hudson Valley labor union will strengthen its pre-apprenticeship pathway into the construction trades. Participants will receive basic training and support intended to prepare them for union careers.
LIUNA Local 210: $540,000
The Buffalo-based union will operate a pre-apprenticeship program offering certification-based instruction.
The governor’s announcement appears to mistakenly identify Local 17 when describing the Buffalo award. However, the recipient listed in the award heading is LIUNA Local 210. The American Public Power Association’s independent summary repeats the same wording, apparently drawn from the state release.
Northland Workforce Training Center: $500,000
Northland will use its award for HVAC and building-maintenance certificate programs at its new Clean Tech Lab in Western New York.
Participants will also have access to career coaching, transportation assistance and job-placement support. NYPA previously provided $15 million to help develop Northland and more than $1.1 million for an automotive technology laboratory.
Renaissance Technical Institute: $500,000
The New York City nonprofit will offer free vocational instruction involving energy-efficient systems and electrification. Its programs are intended to reach young adults and residents of underserved communities.
SUNY Canton: $440,000
SUNY Canton will create credit-bearing microcredentials in heat pumps, drone operations, mapping and logistics. The program is designed to make technical clean energy education more accessible in Northern New York.
New York Reports Nearly 185,000 Clean Energy Jobs
The Hochul administration said New York already has nearly 185,000 clean energy jobs. That figure is supported by the latest available New York State Energy Research and Development Authority industry report.
NYSERDA reported approximately 185,000 clean energy jobs in 2024, an increase of about 6,000 positions from the previous year. The largest segment was building decarbonization and energy efficiency, accounting for roughly 135,000 jobs.
Other employment areas included:
- Renewable electric power generation
- Clean and alternative transportation
- Renewable fuels
- Grid modernization
- Energy storage
Those figures show why training is becoming an important part of state energy policy. Building power plants, modernizing the electric grid and improving energy efficiency require skilled workers, not simply financial investment or government targets.
“Creating clean energy infrastructure is both necessary and an economic opportunity for our state, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening local economies,” state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.
What the Announcement Means for Central New York
None of the six direct $3 million awards announced in this round went to a Mohawk Valley organization. However, the larger Department of Labor allocation is statewide and may create future opportunities for eligible unions, colleges, nonprofit organizations and workforce training providers.
Central New York has community colleges, skilled-trades programs and manufacturers that could help prepare workers for careers involving energy-efficient buildings, electrical infrastructure and advanced technology. The announcement did not identify when new Department of Labor grant applications will open or which additional communities will receive funding.
Residents interested in these careers should monitor the New York State Department of Labor and participating training institutions for enrollment requirements, deadlines and program locations.
Training Must Lead to Lasting Employment
The investment has clear potential, but funding announcements alone do not guarantee long-term jobs. The programs will ultimately need to show how many people:
- Enroll in training.
- Complete their programs.
- Earn recognized credentials.
- Obtain jobs in their chosen fields.
- Remain employed after placement.
Transportation, child care, equipment costs and scheduling can prevent people from finishing even free workforce programs. The inclusion of career coaching and other support services may help reduce those barriers.
NYPA said it works with training organizations to align instruction with positions that employers need to fill. The authority also advises organizations on classroom lessons and hands-on technical training.
Including the latest awards, NYPA says it has committed more than $63 million to clean energy training programs involving more than 45 workforce organizations. The authority is authorized to commit as much as $25 million annually to workforce development under provisions included in New York’s 2023-24 state budget.
A Separate Nuclear Workforce Investment
The $13 million package is separate from another major NYPA initiative focused on advanced nuclear energy.
Under the NextGen Nuclear New York initiative, technical schools, colleges, unions, manufacturers and other organizations can seek part of $40 million in nuclear workforce development funding. That effort is intended to prepare workers for the possible construction and operation of new nuclear generation in Upstate New York.
The nuclear initiative and the latest clean energy workforce funding reflect a broader challenge: New York will need enough trained workers to build and maintain new energy infrastructure while keeping projects reliable, affordable and safe.
Building Career Pathways Across New York
New York’s $13 million investment could provide hundreds of residents with practical skills and clearer routes into growing occupations. The strongest programs will be those that connect training directly to recognized credentials, apprenticeships and real job openings.
The next test will be transparency. State agencies and participating organizations should publish completion, placement and retention results so taxpayers and prospective workers can see whether the programs are delivering lasting opportunities.
New Yorkers interested in clean energy careers can visit NYPA’s workforce development information page and the Department of Labor website for current training and grant opportunities.
