Several Central New York universities and colleges are among those participating in a $15 million state program to fund two initiatives that will promote clean-energy workforce development and training programs on SUNY campuses. Nearly $6 million was awarded to SUNY campuses to train more workers in the clean-energy sector. In addition, a request for proposals […]
Several Central New York universities and colleges are among those participating in a $15 million state program to fund two initiatives that will promote clean-energy workforce development and training programs on SUNY campuses.
Nearly $6 million was awarded to SUNY campuses to train more workers in the clean-energy sector. In addition, a request for proposals (RFP) was made available to all SUNY campuses for grants totaling $9 million to provide apprenticeships, internships, and educational programs and support through industry partnerships across the state, according to a Sept. 4 news release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. These initiatives are part of Climate Jobs NY, a part of the Clean Climate Careers initiative.
“Workforce training and development programs are crucial to the economic growth and sustainability of New York State. These funds will ensure that New York is generating trained employees for a growing industry, while furthering the Governor’s commitment to clean energy,” Howard Zemsky, Empire State Development president, CEO and commissioner, said in the release.
As part of the $9 million RFP for additional grants, the SUNY university system will explore opportunities for partnerships with state and local agencies, including the Department of Labor, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Development, and industrial development agencies. These partnerships will aim to meet existing and emerging “critical workforce needs” of New York’s clean-energy industry, drive regional economic development, and provide hands-on learning to students, the state says.
Up to $1 million of the RFP is allocated specifically for Community College Regional Council awards to develop events and workshops that will foster partnerships between clean-energy companies and SUNY community colleges in the region, share best practices among community colleges on curricula materials and tools to accelerate the pace of clean-energy workforce development, and plan regional strategies to promote a “culture of environmental sustainability.”
Campus proposals awarded Sept. 4 were reviewed by a committee with representation from SUNY, NYSERDA, and the Department of Labor. The governor’s office said the awarded proposals include the following:
• Binghamton University will establish a Clean Energy Undergraduate Research Program within its Freshman Research Immersion program. The new clean-energy initiative will provide a summer component, including research fellowships for under-represented minority students and internships with clean-energy companies.
• SUNY Canton will enhance its Solar Ready Vets program on-site at Fort Drum. The training provides a micro-credential program in renewable energy specifically for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
• SUNY Oswego will develop and enhance the campus’s energy laboratories to support the curriculum of multiple departments. The campus will also expand research and applied-learning opportunities and strengthen collaboration and student transfer between SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College.
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute will partner with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and SUNY Oneonta to offer experiential learning opportunities for students to apply green-building principles by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifying SUNY campus buildings. LEED-accredited professionals will engage undergraduate students in the LEED existing buildings operations and maintenance certification process and the LEED for building design and construction via experiential learning projects tied to new courses.
Other winning proposals outside Central New York included initiatives at Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo, Erie Community College, Farmingdale State College, SUNY Maritime, and Nassau Community College.