Technical Skills Training and Upskilling Program
NYSERDA seeks to build and expand training capacity across New York State to deliver technical training to existing clean energy industry workers and students in a variety of technology areas.
Through this funding opportunity, NYSERDA will provide funding to eligible projects to deliver upskilling training. Eligible projects include projects delivered by technical training organizations, professional associations, and other entities with experience delivering clean energy technical training.
To be eligible for funding, applications must demonstrate that their proposal will fill a critical training gap and market need, that there is market demand for the training, and a clear plan to ensure existing clean energy industry workers and students will participate in the proposed training.
Training delivery is a requirement of all projects funded under this program.
Available Funding
NYSERDA will accept applications requesting a minimum of $75,000 and a maximum of $500,000 per project commensurate with the scale of training proposed.
Applicants must contribute a minimum of 15 percent cost share for Category 1 (Delivery of existing training) projects and 25 percent cost share for Category 2 (Development and delivery of new training) projects toward the total project budget. Cost share may include “cash” or “in-kind” services. Cost share requirements will be reduced to 5 percent for Category 1 and to 15 percent for Category 2 if over 50 percent of the project proposes trainees will be residents from a Disadvantaged Community (DAC) or members of a priority population.
Applicant Eligibility
The Applicant must be registered to do business in New York State. The Applicant must have a New York State training location suitable to delivering the proposed training program. Applicants may partner with other entities to deliver a comprehensive training project. One entity must be identified as the lead Applicant, and that entity must complete the application and enter and hold the contract with NYSERDA.
The Applicant and subcontractors (if applicable) must have experience and qualifications suitable for the delivery of the proposed project activities. If an applicant received funding from NYSERDA for a workforce development project in the past, the project must have delivered measurable outcomes that aligned with project goals.
Eligible Technology Areas
Funding is available for training that advances skills in the following clean energy technology areas:
- Energy efficiency and building electrification (e.g., energy auditing, insulation, heat pumps, building controls, building operations and maintenance);
- Renewable energy;
- Energy storage (deployed wholesale bulk storage; “retail” commercial, non-residential, and community storage; and residential building storage);
- Smart grid; and
- Electric vehicle charging stations (installation, operation and maintenance).
Eligible Training Initiatives
This solicitation will provide funding for projects that deliver training and that fall into one of the following categories:
Category 1: Delivery of existing training - Intended to support the delivery of existing technical training/curriculum through established ongoing programs or methods currently in place in response to market demand and/or scaling up the delivery of existing training.
Category 2: Development and delivery of new training - Intended to support the development and delivery of new or updated technical content that addresses demonstrated, industry-recognized skills gaps and market demand.
Funding will support activities based on market need and business demand and include curriculum development, training delivery, training for trainers, purchasing training equipment, and certifications.
Learn More and Apply
Learn more about the program and how to apply on the solicitation page 
.
Submit questions to [email protected].
Join Program Office Hours, offered on a monthly basis. Registration is required. Please submit a request to join via PON 6122 Office Hour Registration Form .