Insights from Workforce Organizations on Preparing Individuals for Clean Energy Jobs — And the Essential Supports They Need to Succeed
The Green Economy Action Plan positions New York City to be the epicenter of climate innovation, promising a booming industry that will host tens of thousands of jobs. Nearly one third of these jobs will be in emerging occupations that demand a skilled workforce prepared to take on new challenges. The Green Economy Network powered by JobsFirstNYC, a collective of 30 workforce development organizations, employers, educational institutions, and community leaders, is ready, willing, and able to prepare New Yorkers for what’s next一but is New York City ready to support the necessary components to both the next generation and incumbent workers’ success?
Voices from the Green Frontline outlines what is missing to ensure that New Yorkers most affected by climate change are the ones directly benefiting from the influx of clean energy jobs and promise of economic mobility. This brief highlights promising practices and shared challenges while outlining policy solutions that can scale accessible opportunities and ensure the clean energy transition delivers high-quality jobs for all communities.
A Call to Action
- Fund wraparound supports as a key component of workforce development: Access to transportation, childcare, stipends, housing support and legal services are fundamental to trainee success. Funding streams must cover these essentials as core workforce infrastructure, just as a full-time or part-time position would.
- Align training standards to actual emerging roles: EV technicians, solar installers, energy auditors, and building automation specialists are in demand, yet standards and certifications are unclear. Policymakers should coordinate with employers and training providers to establish transparent occupational pathways.
- Strengthen bridges to advanced skills: Introductory trainings open the door to entry level — but many participants stall when moving to advanced certifications due to costs, equipment needs, or employer bias. Investment in tiered training models and subsidized certifications is critical.
- Expand apprenticeships and employer partnerships: Employers often expect a year of experience for “entry-level” roles. Expanding on-the-job training requirements, incentivizing employer participation through tax credits, and funding apprenticeships can close this experience gap.
- Standardize workforce metrics across agencies: Training providers are competing for funding with inconsistent expectations. The city and state should set shared metrics to evaluate outcomes fairly, reduce duplication, and strengthen accountability.
What Green Economy Network Members are Saying
❝What often gets overlooked is the emotional and cultural shift required for someone who’s been system-involved or underemployed to reimagine themselves in a technical field. We’ve seen that when conditions are right, graduates not only succeed but go on to lead.
❝Our training programs are producing overlooked talent that the green economy desperately needs. The challenge isn’t motivation — it’s creating clear, affordable, and real pathways into good jobs.
Positive Returns on Investment
Two graduates of HVAC and solar programs moved from internships into permanent union jobs, showing the potential of structured employer pipelines.
An aspiring entrepreneur completing a pre-apprenticeship program advanced into NYCHA contracting work and eventually started her own business, employing others from her community.
The Clean Energy Workforce Bill of Rights
We asked members and workforce professionals “What does a Green Workforce Bill of Rights look like to you?”. After 30+ responses, this is the Green Economy Network’s Green Workforce Bill of Rights:
- Living wages and safe conditions
- Paid leave, healthcare, and retirement
- Union rights and collective bargaining
- Free/low-cost education and stackable credentials
- Priority hiring for environmental justice communities
- Environmental justice and community reinvestment
Thank you to the Green Economy Network’s Policy and Development Working Group for leading the development of this survey and brief in the spirit of our shared values: People First, Bold Ideas, Collective Genius, and Informed Objectivity.
Interested in learning more? Read the full brief here.
Want to get involved in JobsFirstNYC’s Green Economy Network? Contact mdarby@jobsfirstnyc.org.