Governor Hochul Announces $5 Million in NYPA Funding That Will Prepare More Than 1,000 New Yorkers for Clean Energy Careers

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $5 million in New York Power Authority (NYPA) funding that will support clean energy workforce development across New York State. The funding awards, approved by the NYPA Board of Trustees at its March meeting, will be directed to eight workforce development programs that will equip more than 1,000 New Yorkers with the training, job placement resources and technical skills needed for careers in the clean energy economy.

"It is imperative that New Yorkers benefit from the jobs needed to build, operate and sustain clean energy resources and infrastructure," Governor Hochul said. "The $5 million in NYPA funding will help prepare more than 1,000 New Yorkers for those jobs of tomorrow, expanding access to technical skills training and opening vital career pathways."

New York is leading the nation in developing a green economy, with nearly 185,000 clean energy jobs already created. Building further on that statewide progress, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved funding awards to the following organizations and institutions:

Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) - $450,000 BNYDC, a New York City based nonprofit, will provide electric vehicle (EV) field technician training focused on hands-on instruction in diagnosing, maintaining, and servicing EV equipment. The program will be offered in structured training cohorts to prepare students for in-demand roles in the clean energy economy.

Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) - $1,150,000 CEO provides comprehensive employment services to individuals newly released from New York State prisons and detention facilities. The funding will support the nonprofit's statewide pre-apprenticeship program, which will provide New Yorkers with clean-energy training that can lead to union careers or direct job placements, along with 12 months of job-retention support.

Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) - $625,000
NEW recruits, trains, and helps place women in careers in the construction, utility, and maintenance trades. The organization will use the funds to expand its New York City-based pre-apprenticeship program, which will train women in green construction and provide wraparound services along with coordinated placement into internships, apprenticeships, and full-time jobs.

St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES - $900,000 St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES will train students in clean-energy industrial maintenance mechanics and will provide wraparound support including transportation, personal protective equipment, case management, stackable BOCES micro-credentials and job placement.

Soulful Synergy - $450,000 Soulful Synergy will train students in Westchester County and the Mid-Hudson region, offering pathways in weatherization, energy efficiency and building electrification. The initiative equips community members with practical skills that support access to careers in New York's growing clean-energy workforce.

The HOPE Program - $750,000 The HOPE Program, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive job training and career support, will use the NYPA funds to train students through its Clean Energy Workforce Pathway. The program focuses on individuals from marginalized communities and offers full wraparound services along with an 8- to 12-week paid, employer-embedded internship.

United Way of Long Island - $525,000 United Way of Long Island will expand its training program with hands-on instruction at net-zero homes, where participants earn industry-recognized certifications and receive targeted job-placement services with regional employers. The Power Authority's funding will support a program designed to prepare graduates for high-demand roles such as HVAC heat-pump installation, energy auditing, weatherization and high-performance building work.

WVI Dolphin Foundation - $150,000 The New York City not-for-profit foundation serves underserved youth, veterans, and first responders. The NYPA funding will support WVI Dolphin's Leadership Mentor Program that helps connect students with internships, college- and trade-school admissions and jobs.

New York Power Authority Chairman John R. Koelmel said, "The $5 million in workforce investments will help ensure New Yorkers have the skills required to succeed in the state's growing clean energy economy. NYPA is doing more than simply providing funding; it is working closely with its partner organizations to expand access to apprenticeships and technical career pathways across New York."

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "Partnering with community-based organizations and training providers strengthens New York's clean energy talent pipeline and creates on-ramps to well-paying careers. The funding awards approved will help open doors for more than 1,000 New Yorkers to high-demand industry jobs and help ensure the state has the trained workforce needed to expand its clean-energy infrastructure."

Connecting New Yorkers to Opportunities in Clean Energy

The Power Authority's support for clean energy workforce training stems from a commitment of up to $25 million annually, as outlined in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget, and largely supports the efforts of the New York State Department of Labor to connect workers to job opportunities in the clean energy economy. Many of the upskilling and training initiatives have a focus on serving those who are traditionally underrepresented, especially within disadvantaged communities.

NYPA actively engages with each community training organization to ensure skills training is matched with in-demand positions and participant success through supportive wraparound services. Additionally, the Power Authority advises on the classroom and hands-on technology curriculum.

Including this round of awards, NYPA has obligated more than $50 million for clean energy training programs, supporting thousands of trainees and more than 39 workforce training organizations statewide.

In December 2025, Governor Hochul announced that NYPA will provide $40 million in new annual workforce development funding over the next four years to develop the workforce needed to support advanced nuclear energy in Upstate New York.

More information on the Power Authority's support for clean energy training can be found on its workforce development webpage.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Workforce development in the clean energy sector is key to creating pathways to sustainable, successful careers for New Yorkers. Our state's green energy transition is crucial to securing both our environment and our economic future, and this $5 million investment will help support the Department of Labor as we continue to equip workers across New York with the skills needed for these good-paying green jobs."

State Senator Kevin Parker said, "As Chair of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, I have worked to ensure that our clean energy investments deliver real opportunities for New Yorkers. This funding will help connect individuals, especially in underserved communities, to the training, support, and career pathways needed to succeed in this rapidly growing sector. This is about more than preparing a workforce, it is about expanding access, advancing equity, and making sure every community has a meaningful role in New York's clean energy future."

State Senator Jessica Ramos said, "New York's clean energy future must go hand in hand with real opportunity for working people. This investment in workforce development is critical to ensuring that as we transition to a greener economy, we are creating good-paying, union jobs and building pathways for New Yorkers to thrive. As Labor Chair, I will continue fighting to make sure no worker is left behind in this transition."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "As we continue New York's transition to a clean energy economy, there is a dire need to develop the workforce needed to build and maintain renewable projects, roll out energy efficiency programs and service electric vehicles. This announcement builds on New York's commitment to creating good paying, clean energy jobs by supporting training programs and wraparound services and I am particularly happy to see this funding utilized to connect women to the trades."

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, "Investments in clean energy workforce development programs are critical to developing the skilled labor needed to address NY's energy affordability crisis while also increasing equity and opportunity in our economy. As Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, I thank the New York Power Authority for prioritizing workforce training as essential to New York achieving our climate goals, increasing our energy capacity and uplifting people to the middle-class."

About the New York Power Authority

The New York Power Authority is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.

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