New York Initiative Funds Clean Energy Apprenticeships

The $45-million effort aims to is develop a diverse pipeline of skilled workers to meet growing state clean energy workforce needs

Students in a workforce development initiative

The New York state funded apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program is developing a diverse pipeline of skilled workers to meet the clean energy sector’s projected workforce needs.

Photo by Robert Smith, courtesy Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program (MAPP) Rochester

A new New York state training initiative is funding $45 million in apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships for clean energy construction and development that is aimed to build a diverse pipeline of skilled workers to meet the sector’s projected workforce needs. The effort is a partnership between the New York State Energy Research Development Authority and the Finishing Trades Institute of New York, a unit of the union of painters and allied trades.

Agency President and CEO Doreen Harris said the state needs skilled workers in a broad range of clean energy development, including renewable power generation, building electrification, supply chain manufacturing and clean transportation. 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,” she said in a statement.

Growth in clean energy sector employment more than doubled in 2023 over the statewide total, according to a New York Clean Energy Industry report, with needs in building decarbonization and energy efficiency remaining “the largest source of clean energy jobs, employing more than half of all [sector] workers in New York.”

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

The partnership will address workforce needs and provide “building opportunities that strengthen our communities and ensure an inclusive energy transition,” says Joseph Azzopardi, business manager and secretary treasurer of the union's District Council 9 based in New York City, in NYSERDA’s statement.

At least 50% of trainees will come from disadvantaged communities across the state, he adds.

The insiitute is partnering with its peer for western and central New York to recruit and train apprentices and journey workers in application of building envelope technologies, as well as 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, its executive director. “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 state. The institute 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.

Johanna Knapschaefer, ENR’s New England Special Correspondent, has been writing about trends in design and construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure for more than a decade. She also profiles award-winning industry leaders and delves into broader construction issues such as workforce training, worker safety and health, climate change remediation and emerging offshore wind and tidal energy developments. Over the past two decades, her articles have appeared in Architectural Record, BusinessWeek, the Boston Globe, American Banker, Modern Metals, BusinessNH Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine and many other publications. Johanna is fluent in Japanese, and taught English and academic writing in the Science and Engineering Department of Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, while living in Japan for eight years.

When not writing, Johanna enjoys mountain climbing, singing and playing her Spanish guitar.