Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET)

Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET) Mission

As New York State transitions to a clean energy economy, the Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET) will connect workers to opportunities for quality jobs, upskilling, and training with a focus on serving those who are traditionally underrepresented, especially within disadvantaged communities and incumbent fossil fuel workers. OJET will also assist businesses by upskilling their workers and connecting them to a trained workforce while helping navigate eligible hiring incentives and available funding.

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Funding Opportunities

FY 2024-2025

Supported by the New York Power Authority, NYSDOL will fund up to $5 million in grants to support workforce training. These grants will support the creation and expansion of clean energy training programs and pre-apprenticeship opportunities and support participants with wraparound services such as assistance with childcare, transportation, housing stability, food, mental health services, substance use treatment, and life-skills training for participants. Eligible applicants will include for-profit entities; not-for-profit entities; municipalities; utilities; trade associations and unions; and educational institutions, including technical high schools, colleges, and universities. Projects must be in building electrification, renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, or energy intensive industries. If you are interested in this program, please complete this form.

In addition, NYSDOL also will award up to $4 million to local workforce development boards to support workers transitioning away from fossil fuel work and residential clean energy workers in the areas of weatherization and building performance. The funds will include wrap around services that will aid with childcare, transportation, housing stability, food, mental health services, substance use treatment, and life-skills training.

These LWDBs are participating in this funding opportunity:

 

FY 2025-2026

Supported by New York Power Authority, NYSDOL will fund up to $7 million in grants to expand or create training programs in Electric Vehicle (EV) for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicle maintenance and repair and/or EV charging station repair and maintenance, EV fleet maintenance, as well as support wraparound services for people in these training programs. Wraparound services may aid with childcare/dependent care, stipends, transportation, assistance in securing stable housing, food, mental health services, substance use treatment, life-skills training and essential equipment for training (equipment, uniform, union fees, work boots). 

Projects must expand or create training programs in: 

  • Electric vehicle & fleet repair & maintenance; and/or
  • Electric vehicle charging station repair and maintenance (installation not eligible).

If you are interested in this program and would like to be notified when the funding opportunity is announced, please complete this form. 

In addition, NYSDOL will award up to $5 million to local workforce development boards to fund wraparound services for participants enrolled in a clean energy training program (i.e. NYSERDA funded) or STEM 2- or 4-year degree programs at a SUNY/CUNY school. Wraparound services can include stipends, transportation, housing, childcare/dependent care, food, student fees, mental health service, substance use treatment and books, course materials, supplies and equipment.

Funding Awarded

OJET distributes millions to businesses and partners across the state to meet the evolving challenges of the workforce, economy, and climate. Review funding awarded by the Department of Labor for programs supporting the just energy transition:

 

Growing the Clean Energy Workforce (GCEW) Awardees

Renewable Energy Training Initiative (RETI) Awarded

 

Resources

Get the resources and help you need to find a job, explore career options and learn about the variety of programs offered. Visit our Jobs and Careers page.

In 2019, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) was signed into law. New York State’s Climate Act is among the most ambitious climate laws in the nation. Learn more at climate.ny.gov/.

New York State's Cap-and-Invest program is a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon pollution, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging innovation, supporting renewable energy, generating revenue, and improving air quality. Learn more at capandinvest.ny.gov/.

Bond Act Funding will support new and expanded projects across the State to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. Learn more at the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act page.

For no-cost programs and services for businesses, visit our Services for Businesses page. 

Visit our Just Transition Principles infographic to learn about how we will create and support a more inclusive clean energy workforce for all New Yorkers. 

Visit NYSERDA's Workforce Development page to learn more about funding and other resources to support a clean energy economy. 

Visit NY Power Authority’s page to learn more about their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.

Office of Just Energy Transition Resources (P74), P74BN-Bengali, P74C-Chinese, P74HC-Haitian-Creole, P74K-Korean, P74R-Russian, P74S-Spanish

Looking for work in clean energy?

Reporting Layoffs and Closures Due to the Transition to Clean Energy

The Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET) is assisting businesses and workers who are anticipating closings, layoffs, or other job changes due to the clean energy transition or climate-related risks. Having advanced notice gives employees, their families and communities time to transition, seek new employment, and/or enter workforce training programs with assistance from the Department of Labor (NYSDOL). In some cases, businesses are required by law to report through the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) system. When not required by law, businesses, workers, and labor unions can notify NYSDOL of layoffs and closures to get connected to services and assistance.

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