Clean Energy Academy Expands to Train NYCHA Residents for Green Jobs
NYCHA’s Clean Energy Academy, a training initiative aimed at preparing NYCHA residents for careers in the growing green economy, is expanding this year thanks to new funding from HSBC and the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
Launched in 2022, the NYCHA Clean Energy Academy kicks off the first of three 2025 training cohorts this month. Each eight-week session will equip up to 25 participants with hands-on skills in sustainable building systems, solar panel installation, and energy efficiency, with the goal of guiding them toward long-term employment. Graduates receive a $1,500 stipend and are eligible for additional internships and job placement support.
The initiative is a partnership among the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF), NYCHA, and Solar One, a sustainability education nonprofit that provides technical training and environmental education. Solar One’s trainers will lead instruction for the academy, emphasizing real-world experience and industry certifications. Backed by a $600,000 grant from HSBC and a $1.055 million match from NYPA, the expanded program will provide more extensive support services and training resources than in previous years.
“We are so excited for this year’s first NYCHA Clean Energy Academy cohort as they begin their training,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “The Clean Energy Academy is an amazing resource that provides NYCHA residents with the skill sets and support necessary to pursue careers in the vital fields of clean energy and sustainability. We are extremely grateful to the Public Housing Community Fund and Solar One for their partnership in this venture, as well as to HSBC and the New York Power Authority, for providing this year’s grants.”
“Through the Clean Energy Academy, NYCHA residents are learning valuable skills that can serve as a foundation to pursue green jobs,” said NYCHA Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer Shaan Mavani. “Participants will take away knowledge of various clean energy technologies, such as electrified heating and cooling systems and solar, coupled with a necessary understanding of construction basics, which they can leverage as they take the next steps towards clean energy careers.”
“The Clean Energy Academy not only provides NYCHA residents with the tools necessary to explore clean energy career opportunities, it also provides extensive and equitable support to participants of the program, such as stipends, transportation assistance, and equipment for graduates,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Resident Services, Partnerships, and Initiatives Ukah Busgith. “Through our partnerships and collaborations, this is just one of many ways that we’re setting up NYCHA residents in the Clean Energy Academy for success.”
clean energy career opportunities as well as extensive and equitable support to all participants.
“We’re excited to expand the Clean Energy Academy with more resources and opportunities than ever before,” said Public Housing Community Fund Executive Director Alex Zablocki. “By empowering participants with hands-on training and green career support, we are not only building a more sustainable New York City but also creating economic mobility and stronger communities. The first cohort has already seen interest by hundreds of public housing residents, and we are excited to continue to offer these training and job opportunities in NYCHA. We’re grateful to HSBC and the New York Power Authority for their generous contributions and for helping expand the program’s accessibility to NYCHA residents.”
Participants will be trained in installing and maintaining electrified heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps and solar panels, as well as in basic construction skills needed in the green building sector. Each cohort aims to graduate 20 participants, with a target job placement rate of 75 percent — 80 percent of which are expected to be in clean energy-related fields.
The initiative also includes ongoing support post-training, including career counseling, workplace readiness coaching, and assistance connecting with NYCHA contractors and clean energy employers.
The academy aligns with NYCHA’s 2021 Sustainability Agenda and broader efforts to decarbonize its developments in compliance with local and state environmental regulations. The Authority has committed to transitioning its buildings to clean energy through the installation of solar panels, heat pumps, and other green technologies — efforts that are creating a growing need for skilled labor.
Upcoming sessions for the Clean Energy Academy begin on July 7 and September 22, with application deadlines of July 1 and September 16, respectively. Applications for the July session open on June 16, and outreach events will be held both virtually and in person. To learn more, visit communityfund.nyc/cea.
Photos courtesy of Solar One