Insights from Empire Building Challenge
Educating building stakeholders about the benefits of high-performance buildings and creating a skilled operations and maintenance workforce are key to driving holistic energy management and lasting decarbonization. Below are some training resources to help project teams get started.
Online Training and Resources
The NYC Accelerator offers online and in-person trainings on a host of building and energy topics, including building energy law compliance, decarbonization strategies, and building systems. Visit the NYC Accelerator website to access 30+ training courses.
Urban Green Council (UGC) is committed to training architects, engineers, building owners and managers, tradespeople and other professionals in the latest developments and best practices for creating and maintaining sustainable buildings. They offer the following resources:
- GPRO: A comprehensive national training and certificate program for trades and contractors. Courses include Operations and Maintenance, Plumbing, Electrical Systems, Construction Management and HVACR.
- Energy Code Training: Essential training on how to comply and get the most out of New York State and NYC’s energy code for architects and engineers.
- Cross-Learning Alliance: UGC has joined with AIA New York and the New York Chapter of ASHRAE to launch the Cross-Learning Alliance. Alliance programs are designed to bridge the knowledge gap between the people that own, design, build, manage, operate and commission buildings.
- Resource Library: Browse through UGC’s research reports, event recaps, blog posts and more.
Workforce Development and Training
Workforce development and training are essential components to creating a robust, green economy. To meet the requirements of a clean energy economy as outlined in the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), NYSERDA has dedicated more than $100 million in funding to support clean energy workforce development and training. Support is available in six separate categories:
- Training for building and operations staff to properly operate and maintain building systems.
- On-the-job training for new clean energy workers.
- Internships for students looking to gain hands-on skills at a clean energy company.
- Curriculum development to meet the demands of clean energy employers.
- Creation of a sustainable talent pipeline that can reduce the business cost of hiring new workers.
- Career pathways training for high-efficiency HVAC and heat pumps.
Property owners and facility managers interested in improving their team’s energy management knowledge and skills can access funding for training through NYSERDA’s Building Operations and Maintenance Workforce Development Training Program. NYSERDA can fund on-site trainings, apprenticeships, internships, and more.
