New York is expanding its investment in clean energy jobs with $40 million in new annual workforce development funding over the next four years to support advanced nuclear energy and high-demand clean energy careers statewide.
The funding was approved Dec. 9 by the board of trustees of the New York Power Authority and is designed to prepare New Yorkers for jobs tied to advanced nuclear power, artificial intelligence, electromechanical trades and advanced power systems. The initiative directly supports efforts to develop at least one gigawatt of advanced nuclear power in Upstate New York.
In addition to the nuclear workforce funding, NYPA also approved $4 million for new and expanded clean energy training programs at universities and training organizations across the state.
Beginning next year, NYPA will partner with workforce development providers including technical high schools, community colleges, universities and labor unions to develop training, retraining, coursework and apprenticeship programs tied to advanced nuclear energy. NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said the investment will expand career opportunities while supporting the state’s clean energy transition.
The $4 million in separate workforce awards was approved under NYPA’s broader commitment of up to $25 million annually for clean energy training, established in the 2023–24 enacted state budget. Since 2024, NYPA has obligated more than $41 million for clean energy training programs statewide, supporting more than 1,700 trainees and over 30 workforce training organizations.
The following organizations and institutions received awards:
- The Healthy Home Academy in Brewster received $911,000 to support classroom and hands-on learning in home performance, high-efficiency heating, ventilation, air conditioning and heat pump systems.
- The State University of New York at Buffalo received $832,000 to establish a new artificial intelligence fellowship program with NYPA through the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
- The Green Launchpad received $734,000 to expand a statewide program focused on clean energy building fundamentals, advanced training and career services.
- Genesee Valley BOCES in Mount Morris received $677,000 to create a new electro-mechanical trades program at the Charles G. May Center and expand an existing program at its Batavia campus.
- The State University of New York at Stony Brook received $644,000 to launch its inaugural Power Pathways Workforce Readiness program focused on solar, drone inspections, geothermal heat pumps and high-voltage direct current power systems.
- The State University of New York at Binghamton received $203,000 to support two new power systems courses and expand experiential learning and paid industry internships.
NYPA Chairman and Western New York resident John R. Koelmel said the funding will strengthen statewide training programs and prepare New Yorkers to succeed in the clean energy economy.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said SUNY campuses play a key role in preparing the next generation of workers for future clean energy jobs. University leaders from Buffalo, Stony Brook and Binghamton also cited the funding as critical for preparing students for careers in advanced energy, engineering and artificial intelligence.
The workforce investment also builds on a statewide advanced nuclear energy workforce roundtable held earlier this year that included NYPA, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Department of Labor, trade unions, universities and international nuclear energy partners. Those discussions focused on coordinated education, training and workforce development efforts to grow New York’s nuclear workforce.
NYPA officials said the new funding will further strengthen those collaborations and expand access to job training in the nuclear and clean energy sectors.
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