Courses help workers start or advance in careers that meet the needs of employers in New York State’s growing clean-energy economy

New York, NY – October 2, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — As students return to school, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced that energy efficiency and renewable energy training courses are available this fall in Alfred, Rochester and Tonawanda to help current workers move ahead in clean-energy careers and unemployed workers gain clean-energy skills and professional credentials.

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

• Workers seeking to enhance their skills in specific efficiency and renewable energy technologies, to advance in their careers.
• Unemployed, disadvantaged workers and workers in transition who need skills development and professional credentialing.
• People soon to enter the workforce for the first time, including high school students.

Training classes supported by NYSERDA include photovoltaic (solar) and wind turbine systems, heating and distribution technician, air conditioning and heat pump technician, and YouthBuild pre-apprenticeship certification training with basics of building science component.

In Alfred, Rochester and Tonawanda, training courses are available at or through:

• Alfred State SUNY College of Technology, Alfred, phone: 607-587-4133, email: murphytg (at) alfredstate (dot) edu, website: http://www.alfredstate.edu/sustainability/zero-energy-green-home
• Urban League of Rochester, Rochester, phone: 585-325-6530, email: communications (at) ulr (dot) org website: http://www.ulr.org/youthbuild
• Monroe Community College Damon City Campus, Rochester, phone: 585-262-1600, email: eotero (at) monroecc (dot) edu, website: http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/dccdean/
• Institute for Building Technology and Safety, Tonawanda, NY, phone: 845-434-5750 ext. 4337, email: training (at) ibts (dot) org, website: http://www.ibts.org/events-listing/performance-training.html

“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 aligns with Governor Cuomo’s Next Generation Job Linkage initiative, which calls for community colleges to work with employers to identify jobs, define skills and provide training to meet their needs. It is designed to meet the needs of contractors, installers, builders, energy service companies, architects, designers and engineers, inspectors and local officials across residential, multifamily, commercial and industrial sectors. Training may result in certificates, be integrated into existing degree programs, be offered as continuing education or be delivered on-the-job or through internships. Many training programs directly support technician certifications. Support for credentialing of training institutions ensures quality training delivery.

NYSERDA has 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.

Please visit the websites above to learn more about training programs in Alfred, Rochester and Tonawanda or go to NYSERDA’s training map to find all NYSERDA-supported providers by county.

About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975. For more information, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.