Through this funding opportunity the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) seeks to work with labor organizations and registered pre-apprenticeship programs across the State, to grow a diverse, equitable, and inclusive pipeline of skilled talent for the clean energy labor market. This solicitation is intended to fund Projects that create and/or expand the capacity of direct entry pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeship training programs, and journey worker training programs.  All project applicants must be affiliated with bona fide labor organizations. Training initiatives must include clean energy technical training in target areas and hands-on experience for apprentices, and/or journey workers. With this funding NYSERDA hopes to support a pathway to high-quality, family supporting jobs by ensuring that New Yorkers have the skills and qualifications required to meet the demands of a clean energy economy.

NYSERDA will accept applications requesting between $150,000 and $750,000 per project commensurate with the scale of training proposed. Projects that include K-12 career awareness and outreach promoting clean energy jobs as part of a training initiative can access up to an additional $150,000 in NYSERDA funding. The total amount of funding available for a project that expands training capacity, builds new clean energy training, and includes a K-12 career awareness and outreach element is $900,000. Cost share is encouraged but not required.

Applicants must be registered to do business in New York State, must have a New York State training location and must be in good standing.

Applicants must have a demonstrated history of clean energy technical training and job placement in building decarbonization; building energy efficiency technologies and practices that support decarbonization; renewable energy generation, interconnection, transmission, distribution, and storage; or electric vehicle charging station installation and repair. If an applicant does not have a demonstrated history in the eligible technology areas, the applicant must demonstrate its expertise in developing and delivering the proposed training and prove that the training will address a current market need for skilled labor.

All recruitment, training, and K-12 career awareness and outreach activities must take place in New York State; and all training recipients must be New York State residents.