STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul is pouring an additional $40 million into the Clean Energy Workforce with aims of upping the state’s nuclear and AI capabilities.
Approved by the New York Power Authority, the funding will be divvied up between several “technical high schools, community colleges, universities, labor unions, and others” over the course of four years in order “to develop nuclear energy technical training, retraining, coursework and apprenticeship programs to prepare workers for employment in the advanced nuclear energy field,” a written statement detailed.
Furthermore, $4 million will go to six specific state organizations and universities to teach New Yorkers how to excel in “high-demand careers in artificial intelligence, electromechanical trades, and advanced power systems to meet the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector.”
Those organizations and universities include, as listed in the statement:
The Healthy Home Academy in Brewster, N.Y. $911,000Resources will be directed to support classroom and hands-on learning experiences in home performance, high efficiency heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and heat pumps.The State University of New York at Buffalo$832,000The funding will be used to establish an AI fellowship program with the New York Power Authority and UB’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (IAD) to build a workforce pipeline and allow students to work alongside NYPA experts to address key challenges for the state in the clean energy industry.The Green Launchpad$734,000The funding award will expand a comprehensive program that includes clean energy building fundamentals, hands-on labs, advanced technical training, and career services.Genesee Valley BOCES in Mount Morris, N.Y.$677,000The funding will create an electro-mechanical trades program at the Charles G. May Center and to expand an existing program at its Batavia campus.The State University of New York at Stony Brook$644,000The award will be leveraged to launch the University’s inaugural Power Pathways Workforce Readiness program, which will train students in both trade-based and advanced technology disciplines. The program will provide certification and training in areas including solar, drone inspections, geothermal heat pumps, and HVDC power systems.The State University of New York at Binghamton$203,000The funds will be used to support the development and instruction of two new courses: Systems Dynamics and Simulation and Fundamentals of Power Systems as well as expand experiential learning opportunities and paid industry internships.
“New York is leading the clean energy revolution, and NYPA is powering that progress with bold investments in workforce development,” Hochul said. “By investing in the advanced nuclear workforce and expanding access to affordable, hands-on training in AI and advanced energy systems, we’re preparing New Yorkers for the high-quality, high-demand jobs of tomorrow — and ensuring every community can share in the benefits of a cleaner, more equitable energy future.”