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NYC Talent Announces $1.4 Million in New Public-Private Investment to Help Prepare New Yorkers for Green Collar Careers
For Immediate Release: April 25, 2025
Contact: mbeller@talent.nyc.gov, 212-513-9241
Funding Awards from Families and Workers Fund, Robin Hood Foundation, and NYS Department of Labor's Office of Just Energy Transition
Support Investments in Workforce Innovation and Equity to Ensure All New Yorkers Benefit from Green Economy Job Market Expected to Grow to 400,000 by 2040
NEW YORK – Today the Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent) celebrated Earth Week by announcing $1.4 million in new funding toward advancing the workforce commitments of the Green Economy Action Plan (GEAP), first announced in 2024 by Mayor Eric Adams. The GEAP is the first and largest municipal plan to decarbonize and grow the City's green economy, providing a strategic roadmap to invest in industries, sectors, and occupations that will mitigate the impacts of climate change. The plan aims to prepare New York City's workforce for the nearly 400,000 projected 'green collar' jobs expected by 2040.
Today's awards include funding from public and private partners that will increase the capacity and expertise of workforce providers to support the burgeoning green economy, increase their collaboration with employers, seed new training programs, and help ensure that the City is leading as an employer in the preparation of New Yorkers for the opportunities that come with the investments in the green economy. These investments also include the continued expansion of apprenticeships across the city, which offer significant benefits for both job seekers and employers. For job seekers, they provide a structured pathway to gain practical skills and industry-recognized credentials, leading to better job prospects and higher earning potential. For employers, apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to build a skilled workforce, reduce recruitment costs, and improve employee retention.
"We applaud our partners Robin Hood, The Families and Workers Fund and the New York State Department of Labor for their combined $1.4 million to expand career pathways to good paying green collar jobs for our communities that need them the most," said NYC Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development Acting Executive Director Doug Lipari. "These investments in programs led by the Department of Small Business Services and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services will help us achieve the City's goals laid in the Green Economy Action Plan, position New Yorkers for the careers that will power the growing green economy and make our communities more resilient and prosperous."
Specific funding includes:
- $600,000 from the Robin Hood Foundation to increase youth apprenticeship for green economy careers, prioritizing opportunities in the public sector
- $500,000 from the Families and Workers Fund "Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers Challenge" to support a dedicated industry partnership for green collar careers
- $250,000 from the NYS Department of Labor's (NYSDOL) Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET) to support clean energy and building performance trainings:
- Department of Citywide Administrative Services' (DCAS) green electric vehicle safety training program for City employees working with City-owned fleet vehicles
- Department of Small Business Services' "CoolRoofs" program that provides New Yorkers with paid training and work experience installing energy-saving reflective rooftops
These investments expand upon millions in new funding secured since the Green Economy Action Plan was first announced in February 2024 and complement major infrastructure investments announced by NYCEDC at the GEAP's 1 year anniversary in February 2025. This includes commitments of up to $100M to operate the Climate Innovation Hub at Brooklyn Army Terminal and $750M to develop the Harbor Climate Collaborative with the Brooklyn Navy Yard Corporation and the Trust for Governor's Island.
"The economy of tomorrow is rooted in new technology and sustainability, and it requires a resilient city and workforce to match," said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross. "SBS is committed to doing its part to meet the moment. Whether it be through advanced manufacturing and HVAC pre-apprenticeship or through NYC CoolRoofs, we're giving New Yorkers the resources they need to thrive in the fast-growing green economy. I am so proud to continue working with the Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development to ensure all New Yorkers — especially those from historically underserved communities — can benefit from the opportunities the Green Economy Action Plan will bring."
"New York City's future will be built by the workers of today and tomorrow who are provided the knowledge and pathways to champion sustainability in their work, each and every day," said DCAS Commissioner Louis Molina. "Through this partnership with the State Department of Labor and NYC Talent, DCAS will now provide electric vehicle training to additional staff, including motor vehicle operators, auto service workers, and associate park service workers. In expanding this program, we are empowering more city employees with the skills necessary to operate and repair the electric vehicles that are ensuring our streets are cleaner and greener than ever."
"The first year of the Green Economy Action Plan made tremendous strides in not only preparing New Yorkers for new green jobs but also establishing the five boroughs as a global hub for sustainable innovation," said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. "As home to the world's premier talent pool, NYCEDC and NYC Talent are proud to continue optimizing public-private partnership and investment to create a robust pipeline to the burgeoning Green Economy industry."
"Robin Hood is thrilled to partner with the city to expand career and apprenticeship opportunities for New Yorkers in the green economy, boosting skills and earnings while making our communities healthier and safer," said Christine AuYeung, Senior Program Officer, Young Adults at Robin Hood. "For generations, public sector jobs have been the economic engine to propel families into the middle class, and this partnership will ensure the next generation can access career pathways that offer learning and earning opportunities that have enormous potential for career growth and advancement in the public sector and beyond."
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