Workforce Development and Training Definitions

For the purposes of NYSERDA’s workforce development and training solicitations, the following terms apply: 

Apprenticeship is defined as an employer-driven, occupational training model. Apprenticeship programs provide on-the-job training from an experienced mentor and related classroom instruction on the technical and academic aspects of a job. The training is rooted in industry skill standards and competencies and is typically registered by the New York State Department of Labor. Apprenticeship programs help companies successfully recruit, develop and retain a highly skilled workforce for the jobs they need filled.

Bona Fide Labor Organizations or Labor Organizations represent employees in New York State with regard to wages, hours and working conditions; whose officers have been elected by a secret ballot or otherwise in a manner consistent with federal law; that is free of domination or interference by any employer and has received no improper assistance or support from any employer, and o that is actively seeking to represent workers in New York State.

Career Pathway Refers to a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that align with the skill needs of the clean energy industry in the economy of the State and/or regional economy involved; prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options; includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals; organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable; enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and/or at least one recognized postsecondary credential; and helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation.

Certification and licenses are credentials that demonstrate a level of skill or knowledge needed to perform a specific type of job. Certifications are issued by a non-governmental body, but licenses are awarded by a government agency and convey a legal authority to work in an occupation. People may have more than one certification or license; people with a license may also have a certification.

Disadvantaged Communities shall include those individuals who meet the criteria established to identify a disadvantaged community adopted by the Climate Justice Working Group under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The criteria identify individuals based on a geographic component or an income component. An interactive map identifies areas through the State that meet these criteria.

Direct Entry Pre-Apprenticeship is an apprenticeship preparation program that can help individuals get the skills needed to meet the minimum requirements of a NYS Registered Apprenticeship program. Successful participants have a direct opportunity to interview with a sponsor of a NYS Registered Apprenticeship program. Direct Entry providers are required to have agreements with NYS Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors to ensure the availability of jobs with those sponsors. To learn more about direct entry pre-apprenticeship programs, visit Direct Entry | Department of Labor

Priority populations include:

• Veterans;
• Individuals with disabilities;
• Low-income individuals, whose household’s total income is below or at 60% of the State Median Income, or whose household has been determined eligible for or is receiving assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or other human service benefit programs;
• Incumbent or unemployed fossil fuel workers;
• Justice involved individuals;
• 16- to 24-year-olds who are enrolled in or have completed a comprehensive work preparedness training program such as those offered by Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), technical high schools, Conservation/Climate Corps, YouthBuild, and AmeriCorps. The training program must include a combination of rigorous clean energy education with hands-on technical training. Eligibility of work preparedness programs under this category will be considered on a case-by-case basis.;
• Individuals experiencing homelessness;
• Single parents.

Registered Apprenticeship is a time-honored approach to training skilled workers through a combination of on-the job training and classroom instruction. Each apprenticeable occupation has its own standard training outline which details the on-the-job training and classroom instruction required. Apprentices are full-time employees who produce high-quality work while they learn skills that enhance their employment prospects. An apprentice operates under the close supervision of a skilled worker on the job and takes related classroom instruction at night or on weekends. A graduated pay scale assures that salary reflects the degree of skill achieved. NYSERDA recognizes New York State Department of Labor Registered Apprentice Programs.

Wraparound Services assist in mitigating barriers to participation in training programs and entering and maintaining employment and/or upgrading to a higher level of employment. Such services may be monetary or non-monetary and are oftentimes evaluated on a case-by-case basis.