NYCHA Clean Energy Academy Graduates Two Cohorts in Summer 2024

This summer, NYCHA’s Clean Energy Academy (NCEA) graduated two cohorts – its third on June 6, in which special emphasis was given to training in solar technologies, and its fourth on August 7, which focused especially on energy efficiency.

The NYCHA Clean Energy Academy is an innovative workforce development program designed to answer the needs of NYCHA contractor firms that specialize in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Those contractors are currently engaged in nearly a half billion dollars’ worth of retrofit and renewable energy projects at NYCHA developments – projects that will continue through 2026 at least – and they are continually on the lookout for qualified professionals to join their teams.

The NCEA program cultivates those qualified professionals directly, by offering NYCHA residents a unique program to study for and earn OSHA and other certifications while benefitting from hands-on tools instruction by experienced instructors. Beyond the education provided to every NCEA program graduate, each also receives a $1,500 stipend and wrap-around services.

NCEA graduates then gain access to more advanced trainings, as well as to employer partners looking to hire and union apprenticeship program partners looking for new trainees. At a June 13 hiring event held at the Building Energy Exchange, the program’s newest graduates, along with all previous alumni of the program, were invited to meet with contractor representatives and union partners implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and general construction projects at NYCHA.

“Because these are such new and innovative technologies, we’re hearing from hiring managers and business owners that these are hard-to-fill positions,” said Andrew O’Connor, Senior Project Manager of Adult Education and Training for NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES). “The graduates come in just having completed their training programs, ready to hit the ground running. So yes, they are in demand, and they know it, and it’s exciting to see – for all of us!”

Speakers at the NCEA Cohort 4 graduation on August 7 included Diora Rice, Program Coordinator and
Andrew O’Connor, Senior Program Manager (Left), Frank Calderone, Program Instructor (Center),
and Kaela Mainsah, Vice President for Environmental Justice, New York Power Authority (Right).

“NYCHA REES is delighted to recognize the accomplishments of all the NYCHA Clean Energy Academy graduates,” said Josephine Melendez, NYCHA’s Assistant Director of Adult Education and Training. “The NCEA aims to prepare residents with core construction certifications and industry-recognized curricula. We look forward to supporting NCEA graduates as they continue to build their careers and break into the emerging clean energy workforce.”

The NCEA is a partnership between NYCHA and the Public Housing Community Fund in collaboration with LaGuardia Community College, which has facilitated the workforce trainings. REES is responsible for recruitment and employment referrals upon graduates’ completion of the training program. The $2 million initiative has been funded through its first two years by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies, New York Power Authority (NYPA), NorthLight Foundation, and Rise Light and Power.

For more information about the NCEA, please visit www.communityfund.nyc/cea.

If you are a NYCHA resident interested in adult education and training opportunities, please visit the REES website at www.opportunitynycha.org.