Leveraging Multiple Workforce Programs
Support for clean energy businesses.
New York’s clean energy transition is driving job growth and economic development in communities statewide. To ensure these opportunities are available to all New Yorkers, NYSERDA funds multiple training and professional development programs to help employers upskill their workforce and prepare the next generation of clean energy workers.
The Climate Justice Fellowship supports New Yorkers from disadvantaged communities and priority populations to work within organizations and businesses that advance climate justice and clean energy priorities for disadvantaged communities. Many candidates who have participated in the full-time, yearlong fellowship have since been hired by host employers for their valued contributions, skills, and community expertise.
Hear Shared Mobility’s experience hiring a Climate Justice Fellow to lead their transportation equity work.
Hear how Soulful Synergy grew their workforce with interns and Climate Justice Fellows.
Combining Workforce Funding Opportunities for Your Business
Clean energy businesses and organizations can determine their eligibility for all three programs simultaneously through a one-step application process.
Several clean energy businesses participating in NYSERDA’s Climate Justice Fellowship Program have combined multiple workforce development funding opportunities to transition fellows into permanent full-time employees.
Note that employers can leverage all three programs, two of the programs, or choose to participate in an individual program, based on their needs.
Clean Energy Internship Program Provides 75-90% wage reimbursement on wages up to $17 per hour, depending on business size, for up to 480 hours of employment. Climate Justice Fellowship Provides a minimum salary of $37,000 per fellow, plus $3,000 for training/professional development, for a 12-month employment period. On the Job Training Provides 50-75% wage reimbursement on wages up to $24 per hour for 4-6 months, depending on business size, business type, and whether hiring priority populations.
Additional Workforce Development Opportunities
NYSERDA has additional workforce development programs to support clean energy employers hire and train workers, as well as scale their organization.
- Building Operations and Maintenance Staff Training: Provides funding and support to develop training projects to prepare new or current operations and maintenance workers with the necessary skills to operate efficient and electrified building systems.
- Climate Justice Fellowship Plus Program: Offers funding for two-year, full-time fellowships for individuals from priority populations to work within non-profit organizations in the Bronx and Queens advancing to advance climate justice and clean energy priorities.
- Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program: Supports early-stage companies through specific projects and challenges, such as staffing for growth and strategic partnering.
- Scale for ClimateTech: Provides immersive training on manufacturing for start-ups developing innovative climate tech hardware products and solutions.
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