New clean energy apprenticeship program gets big financial boost

A new apprenticeship program in Albany is getting a $300,000 boost from offshore wind developers.

The money will be used to train union construction workers for careers in clean energy.

Sunrise Wind is giving the money to the Center for Economic Growth. It will use the funds to support the multi-craft apprentice preparation program. That program recruits and trains workers for unionized construction apprenticeships.

The new funding will cover pay, training and emergency financial needs for program participants, who will enroll over the course of 2022 and 2023.

Once people are accepted to the program, they will start working in paid positions under skilled supervision to rehab homes so they can develop their trades.