Western New York’s First-Ever Sustainability Workforce Training Center Will Expand Clean Energy Training to Help Workers Meet Industry Needs
Builds on Governor’s Efforts to Prepare New York’s Workforce for the Green Economy and Other 21st Century Sectors
See Renderings of SWTC Center Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking for People United for Sustainable Housing’s new 2,500-square-foot Sustainability Workforce Training Center in West Buffalo. Stemming from the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York’s nation-leading climate agenda, creation of the region’s first green jobs training facility will further PUSH Buffalo’s mission to help meet climate and energy standards while also increasing access to clean energy-related job training and opportunities for members of minority and underserved communities. PUSH expects that once the SWTC opens, the number of its green workforce training program graduates will at least double, from a current annual total of 48 people to at least 96. Renderings of the new facility are available here.
“As Western New York welcomes sustainable, 21st century businesses to the region, PUSH Buffalo’s new training center will help to ensure that workers in the area are ready to meet their needs and fill the green jobs of tomorrow,” Governor Hochul said. “Building a modern economy means building a modern workforce, and my administration is committed to investing in institutions like PUSH Buffalo that share our mission of strengthening our talent pipeline, unlocking opportunities for countless New Yorkers, and creating a brighter economic future for our state.”
PUSH Buffalo Executive Director and Vice-President of BNSC Dawn Wells-Clyburn said, “Today’s groundbreaking for the Sustainability Workforce Training Center represents a new day for our beloved community. The training center offers unprecedented access to opportunity for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and Disadvantaged Communities – to be leaders in building an advanced green and climate-resilient community, and to earn competitive wages for their skilled labor. Our communities’ populations have historically been shut out of green technology jobs and green job training. The training center brings us closer to a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all. This is truly a game-changer.”