Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York’s participation in a nationwide initiative aimed at preparing a climate-ready workforce, pledging to help train 1 million registered apprentices in clean energy sectors by 2035. Hochul made the announcement during Climate Week NYC alongside other U.S. Climate Alliance governors, including New Mexico’s Michelle Lujan Grisham and Washington’s Jay Inslee.
The Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative seeks to expand career pathways in industries critical to reducing carbon emissions, such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar energy, wind power, and clean technology manufacturing. The initiative will focus on creating high-quality jobs while promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly for underrepresented communities.
“In New York, we’re showing how climate action and economic growth go hand-in-hand,” Hochul said. “This initiative will help build the skilled workforce we need to support a clean, resilient, and equitable economy, while opening doors for workers from all backgrounds.”
A nationwide climate workforce plan
The initiative, supported by 23 governors representing 60% of the U.S. economy, aligns state-level climate policies with workforce development to address the growing demand for skilled labor in green energy. States involved in the coalition will collaborate with industry leaders, labor unions, and educational institutions to ensure that job training programs reflect the needs of emerging clean energy sectors.
“We need a climate-ready workforce — from EV technicians to solar panel manufacturers,” said Governor Lujan Grisham, who also announced an executive order to strengthen New Mexico’s workforce. Washington Governor Jay Inslee echoed these sentiments, highlighting the initiative’s goal of filling union jobs that serve local communities while driving economic growth.
Offshore wind training in New York
Building on the national workforce push, Governor Hochul revealed that New York will provide $2.3 million in funding for training programs focused on offshore wind energy. The Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI), funded through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will partner with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 3 to deliver pre-apprenticeship and technical training for 530 workers in New York City.
Of those trained, 80 pre-apprentices will be placed into offshore wind apprenticeship programs, while 430 journeypersons will receive specialized instruction in offshore wind technologies. This funding builds on $11 million already awarded through OWTI to other organizations, including union ironworkers and multiple SUNY institutions, with the goal of preparing 2,500 New Yorkers for careers in renewable energy.
“This investment will ensure New Yorkers are at the forefront of the offshore wind industry, contributing to both the state’s economic growth and its clean energy future,” Hochul said.
National investments drive job creation
The workforce initiative is part of a broader push fueled by historic federal investments under the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These measures are expected to generate millions of clean energy jobs in the coming years, with sectors like solar, wind, battery storage, and EV manufacturing leading the way.
White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi emphasized the importance of these job creation efforts, noting that over 250,000 energy jobs were added in the U.S. last year alone, with clean energy jobs growing at double the rate of the overall sector.
“Governors across America are leading the charge in creating a climate-ready workforce that supports economic opportunity while lowering costs for American families,” Zaidi said.
Expanding opportunities for all
A key focus of the Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative is ensuring that clean energy job opportunities are accessible to everyone, especially those from disadvantaged or historically underrepresented communities. By fostering collaboration between governments, labor unions, tribal nations, and educational institutions, the initiative aims to create equitable workforce policies that promote upward mobility and economic security.
New York Power Authority President Justin E. Driscoll said the state’s clean energy workforce programs will prioritize equity and aim to create a diverse talent pipeline. NYPA, in partnership with the New York State Department of Labor, has already committed $12 million to workforce development initiatives and recently issued a $2 million request for proposals to further support training and internships in clean energy fields.
Hope Knight, President of Empire State Development, praised New York’s involvement in the nationwide effort, saying it would help create a sustainable economy while equipping New Yorkers with the skills needed for green energy jobs.
“Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to climate action is setting the stage for economic growth and a cleaner, more resilient future,” Knight said.
With the support of labor organizations like the IBEW and national clean energy advocates, the climate-ready workforce initiative aims to prepare the next generation of workers for the challenges and opportunities of the green economy.
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