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The New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) and The Green Launchpad recently announced the NYC Energy Efficiency Workforce Coalition. Workforce development is critically important for supporting clean energy and energy efficiency jobs.
Even though at the moment, the social media sphere and news appear to be nearly dominated by politics and rancor, there are people in America who go to work five days a week to make our buildings, transportation, and energy systems more efficient and resilient. They do the boots-on-the-ground work; they do it whether the politics are favorable or unfavorable. They also do it regardless if they get media recognition or not.
Once when I was visiting a national park, there was a bunch of guys working on doing controlled burns in a forested area. I stopped to ask if I could take their picture; they said yes. They also say no one ever asks to take their pictures. These kinds of workers are the guys and gals who do the work, in the field, in the streets, in the offices, in the buildings, out in the parks … they do the work.
They need support to develop their skills and competencies as we all move toward more clean energy and sustainability.
Angela N. Son, Founder of the Green Launchpad, answered some questions for CleanTechnica.
About how many energy efficiency workers are there in NYS and NYC right now?
Across New York State, the clean energy industry is already a major employer, with more than 132,000 workers in the energy efficiency sector alone, according to a 2024 NYSERDA report. In New York City, the impact is even more concentrated: the city’s Green Economy Action Plan identifies approximately 66,000 jobs directly in energy efficiency, representing half of all clean energy jobs in the five boroughs. Energy efficiency is the largest employer in the city’s green economy, offering tangible, local career opportunities right now.
What are the gaps in the local workforce?
The central challenge is a systemic disconnect between employers and workforce training providers, which creates several downstream problems. First, there is a lack of coordination across government agencies, community organizations, and colleges, which often operate in silos. This results in a fragmented system without clear sequencing or scaffolding of training, making it difficult for workers to move from entry-level roles to specialized, higher-wage positions. Second, there is a persistent mismatch with industry needs. The energy efficiency sector is evolving rapidly due to emerging technologies, such as advanced heat pumps, and new local laws like Local Law 97. Training programs often struggle to keep pace, producing graduates whose skills don’t always align with what employers need today. A tighter feedback loop between industry and educators is essential. The EE Workforce Coalition was created specifically to address this problem, serving as the coordinating body that ensures workforce training leads directly to quality jobs.
Are there training programs for local people who want to work in energy efficiency?
Yes. New York City has a robust ecosystem of training providers preparing residents for clean energy careers. The issue isn’t a lack of programs, but rather a lack of connection and coordination among them. The EE Workforce Coalition’s work focuses on building that bridge, linking the supply side (training providers) with the demand side (employers) to create direct pipelines from classrooms to careers.
About how many new energy efficiency workers are needed?
The sector is already growing steadily, but this growth could accelerate dramatically as the city and state continue advancing their ambitious clean energy agendas through new laws and enforcement. With mandates like Local Law 97 requiring tens of thousands of buildings to be retrofitted, the potential demand for skilled labor is enormous. Over the next decade, New York will need thousands of new energy efficiency workers to meet its climate goals. Consistent policy implementation will unlock a surge of private investment and job creation, and the workforce must be ready to meet that demand.
What are some of the overarching goals for energy efficiency in NYC?
New York City’s energy efficiency efforts are guided by broad mandates such as the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and the city’s Local Law 97. The state’s “New Efficiency: New York” (NENY) policy offers a clear, actionable roadmap for the next three years, directing state and utility efforts toward three priority areas: comprehensive weatherization (the building envelope), HVAC and heat pump installation (electrification), and smart building controls and management. The NENY framework ensures that public and private investments are strategically focused where they can have the greatest impact on emissions reduction and affordability.
How will energy efficiency help NYC with climate resilience?
Energy efficiency is our first and most practical line of defense against the impacts of climate change. During extreme heat waves, efficient buildings draw less power from the grid, helping prevent blackouts. Well-insulated buildings also maintain safe indoor temperatures for longer periods during power outages, providing passive survivability that protects vulnerable residents. Most importantly, energy efficiency is the foundation of decarbonization; it makes full building electrification both feasible and affordable.
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