NYPA's Career-Readiness Program Empowers Community College Students in Clean Energy Fields

Community college students from underserved communities in New York State celebrated the completion of NYPA's six-week paid summer internships, offering real-life experiences and mentoring in clean energy fields. The program, a part of NYPA's environmental justice outreach through the P-TECH program, aims to build a workforce pipeline for New York State's growing clean energy field. Fifty-one students from Western New York, Albany, Mohawk Valley, and New York City participated in the program.

Key Takeaways:

• The NYPA's environmental justice summer internship program is a hands-on learning opportunity designed to motivate students to learn new professional skills and pursue careers in the clean energy industry.
• The program, now in its fifth year, is part of NYPA's outreach through the P-TECH model of education, which prepares students for competitive careers in New York State's growing clean energy workforce.
• Participating students worked on real-life technical projects, including Canals Carbonization, Transmission Line Migration, Exit Slide Gate, HVAC System Modification, and Energy Audit.
• Each intern was assigned to a team focusing on a real-life technical project, received one-on-one mentoring, and participated in weekly skill development sessions.
• Eligible participants include those in community colleges targeting two-year associate degrees in a STEM field.
• Participating schools include SUNY Niagara, Mohawk Valley Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, and LaGuardia Community College.

Statistics:

• 51 students from underserved communities participated in the NYPA's six-week paid summer internship program.
• The program is now in its fifth year.
• More than 80% of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower.
• NYPA operates 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines.

Sources:

• "NYPA Discloses Results of 5th Year of Environmental Justice Summer Internship with 51 Community College Students", New York Power Authority
• "Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) model", New York Power Authority
• "Governor Hochul's Investment in Paid Internships", SUNY Center for Community and Economic Development