NY prepping energy industry job force

October 8, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

As the industry eyes a potential shortage of skilled workers, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Green Jobs-Green New York is taking steps to avoid such a scenario for the state, offering energy-efficiency and renewable energy training courses to help current workers move ahead in clean-energy careers and unemployed workers or those entering the workforce for the first time gain clean-energy skills and professional credentials.

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Workforce development and training initiatives, funded by the Green Jobs-Green New York program and other sources, include basic and advanced technical training, career pathways, on-the-job training, internships and apprenticeships.

"NYSERDA's workforce development partnerships across the state provide the skills and knowledge needed to meet the demands of the State's growing clean-energy economy," said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA. "They support Governor Cuomo's call for job creation and getting unemployed New Yorkers and workers-in-transition back to work."

NYSERDA-supported training is designed to meet the needs of utilities, energy service companies, contractors, installers, builders, architects, designers and engineers, inspectors and local officials, across residential, multifamily, commercial and industrial sectors through a network of more than 70 clean-energy training providers across the state, including community colleges, State University of New York campuses, City University of New York campuses, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and non-profit training organizations.

NYSERDA also partners with NYS Department of Labor and coordinates with groups such as the Building Performance Contractors Association (BPCA), Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), New York State Builders Association Research and Education Foundation (NYSBA-REF), Building Commissioning Association, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), National Oil Heat Research Alliance (NORA), Association for Energy Engineers (AEE), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and others for its education efforts.

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/ny-prepping-energy-industry-job-force/2013-10-08