Innovation Hub
Title of Project/Initiative
Energy Warriors
Background/Description
Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County (CCE Tompkins), part of the Cooperative Extension Land Grant system administered through Cornell University, is a not-for-profit organization that has served the region since 1913. With over a century of educational programming, CCE Tompkins has led numerous clean energy and workforce initiatives, including the NYSERDA Community Energy Engagement Program, Clean Energy Communities, Climate Smart Communities, Ag Energy NY, Solarize campaigns, and more.
Over a period of 10 years, CCE Tompkins’ Energy Warriors collaborated with New York State Office of Children and Family Services to provide environmental literacy training to over 400 youth in juvenile detention centers across New York State. In 2022, Energy Warriors transitioned out of work in detention centers and evolved from training alone to focus on connecting priority populations to green jobs, including energy efficiency careers in weatherization and electrification. The percentage of marginalized individuals in the green economy in this county is less than desired, there is a need to purposely reach out to this community and provide the necessary education and industry recognized skills for them to participate meaningfully in the green economy. The purpose is to create career pathways in all areas of the clean energy sectors. In a classroom setting, our educators provide instruction on weatherization, as well as green heating and cooling installation, they also receive certifications including OSHA 10. We connect our trainees with partners who provide hands-on training opportunities and those who can provide career employment opportunities. Accepted participants earn at least $1,500 over the course of the 12-week training and a living wage for apprenticeship work. Wrap around services include childcare and transportation.
Strategic Goals
To create career pathways in all areas of the clean energy sector for those that face or have faced barriers; and empower participants by helping them understand the root causes of environmental degradation and climate change and mounting inequality and see the role they can play in addressing these challenges.
To focus service on individuals from underserved communities, including justice-involved, low-income, unemployed, underemployed, veterans, and women. Our target audience also includes communities of color, people with disabilities, and single-parent households.
To provide technical training involving Federally recognized Roots of Success: “Environmental Literacy and Work Readiness Training”, NYSWDA “Boot Camp for Weatherization Installers” Certification; OSHA 10 General Industries Certification; Performance Institute’s Building Science Principles Certification.
To support the City of Ithaca’s Green New Deal goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
Measures
1. At least 80% graduation rate and 90% number of graduates with completed certifications
2. At least 80% of graduates placed in the workforce or advanced training
3. 20-50 houses a month that receive energy audits and weatherization treatments
4. One major community project a year (like installation of solar panels at our local community center)
Partners Involved
The Energy Warriors program uses a network of community partners that provide education, internships, and job placement in the Southern Tier region.
- Local clean energy contractors, such as Halco, LaMorte Electric, NP Environmental, CAPCO, and Simply Installs.
- NYS Weatherization Directors Association (NYSWDA) providing DOE-, BPI-, EPA-, and OSHA-approved hands-on training and certification, including the “Bootcamp for Weatherization Installers” training that all Energy Warriors will participate in. NYSWDA will also provide training and testing for BPI BA-T and BA-P Certification for up to 15 trainees participating in the Building Analyst track.
- Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES (TST BOCES)
- Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center
- Fingerlakes ReUse
- Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southern Tier Regional Clean Energy Hub provides Energy Warriors with participant referrals, connections with clean energy contractors, and clean energy expertise.
Other partners include
- The City of Ithaca Sustainability Office
- Cornell ILR School, Cornell Professors in Architecture, Human Ecology, Bio-Engineering and Environmental Sustainability and Geothermal research.
Successes/Challenges/Lessons Learned
Successes:
Over 45 adults have gone through the training with 30 completing the Roots of Success Environmental Literacy training. Program graduates have found gainful employment in green jobs such as NYSERDA Community Energy Advisors, Environmental Literacy Educators, HVAC technicians, sustainable waste management employees, and more. Several program graduates are pursuing advanced degrees related to environmental topics.
Additionally, we have entered the second year of providing Environmental Literacy and Work Readiness training at the New Roots Charter School, Ithaca where over 30 10th-12th graders have taken part in the program.
The program was recognized by the New York Times during the 2024 Climate Forward event, and its founder Dr. Aloja Airewele was named a New York Times Changemaker.
Created and trained a Green Job Employer’s Council who are committed to creating work environments where trainees can contribute meaningfully and thrive.
Challenges
Having enough time and resources to reduce the background challenges of trainees-such as having access to a driver’s license.
Identifying and fostering sustainable career pathways employment for trainees-not just jobs
Reduction in number of contracts for local employers because of national redirection of focus from green workforce
The number of trainees that can go through the program is constrained by our capacity of enough personnel and funds to pay for workbooks, classroom space, stipends, and wrap around services
Lessons Learned
We depend a great deal on an ecosystem of community partners, funders and trainees, so constant engagement, providing updates and building ever stronger relationships within this ecosystem are vital.
Trainees provide support and resources for each other, they become a community, so we intentionally encourage that. When a new cohort starts, we will have graduates come to interact with them as part of their orientation.
Conclusion
The Energy Warriors program provides career avenues into the green jobs sector, particularly for people experiencing barriers to employment. The collaborative program is unique as it brings together resources from a wide variety of organizations and provides dignity in work and a nurturing environment for this population. We provide participants with essential work readiness and employable job skills and increase opportunities for permanent employment. Ultimately, we want to empower participants and have them see the role they can play in addressing current challenges related to climate change and community resilience.
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