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Sustainable development

Governor Cuomo Announces Workforce Development Initiative to Address HVAC Workforce Gap

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a new workforce development initiative, as part of "Workforce Development Awareness Week," to establish a workforce that helps decarbonize multifamily residential buildings in NYC. The initiative, administered by NYSERDA, seeks to train over 1,000 workers in high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and electric heat pump technologies. The partnerships will prioritize low-income New Yorkers and those residing in environmental justice communities, helping to support the state's economic recovery and nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Career Pathway Training Partnerships program aims to train over 1,000 workers in high efficiency HVAC and electric heat pump technologies, targeting low-income New Yorkers and those residing in environmental justice communities.
  • The program seeks to establish partnerships with training providers to deliver hands-on, entry-level technical training programs that attract and develop an HVAC talent pool from high school students, out-of-school youth, and unemployed or underemployed adults.
  • NYSERDA will provide awards up to $550,000 to selected training providers, with a minimum training requirement of 50-60 students, and at least 80 percent of those trained placed in a job, internship, or apprenticeship.
  • The initiative will help meet the growing demand for clean energy services across the state, addressing the shrinking building trades workforce and increasing need for training the next generation of skilled contractors.
  • The program is part of Governor Cuomo's historic Workforce Development Initiative, which aims to make career success accessible and inclusive for all New Yorkers.

Statistics:

  • Energy used for heating and cooling buildings accounts for 37 percent of net energy consumption and 32 percent of all fossil fuel-based greenhouse gas emissions in New York State (Source: Governor's Office).
  • The clean energy industry has proven to be a strong economic driver, outpacing growth in the national workforce by nearly twice the rate pre-COVID (Source: Governor's Office).
  • Many HVAC installers, boiler operators, and other skilled clean energy trades workers are scheduled to retire over the next ten years, resulting in a growing HVAC workforce gap (Source: Governor's Office).
  • The NYC multifamily residential building sector has a high potential for energy efficiency upgrades, with widespread adoption of clean heating and cooling technologies critical to achieving the State's climate law and its directive to reach a climate-neutral economy by 2050 (Source: NYSERDA).

Sources:

  • Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
  • NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)
  • Career Pathway Training Partnerships program
  • "Workforce Development Awareness Week"
  • Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
  • EU Press Release (2020)

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