New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $5 million in New York Power Authority 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, NYPA noted.
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 microcredentials 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.
