HVCC receives grant for offshore wind training
TROY, N.Y. — Hudson Valley Community College is one of seven SUNY colleges to receive a $500,000 grant from the Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI) to enhance programming and facilities in areas supporting offshore wind. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $4 million in grants from OWTI to SUNY campus-led programs designed to prepare students for careers in this growing industry last week. The winning programs will expand workforce development and training initiatives for jobs in constructing, manufacturing, installing, operating, and maintaining offshore wind farms.
“Nation-leading programs like the Offshore Wind Training Institute are essential to ensuring that the State’s workforce is ready to support our ambitious renewable energy goals,” Hochul said in a news release. “SUNY, in partnership with NYSERDA, is equipping new and existing workers to participate in the green energy revolution here in New York for generations to come — helping us address the climate crisis and create a greener state for all.”
Hudson Valley’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math submitted a winning proposal for a project entitled Enhanced Metal Fabrication Pathways for the OSW Industry in the Capital Region. The funds will support the college’s programs in Welding and Fabrication, which is an essential component of the construction, manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms. A portion of the funds will be used for new, state-of-theart equipment for training and classroom use, including the acquisition of equipment and curriculum in Submerged-Arc Welding (SAW) and Nondestructive Testing (NDT), while some are earmarked for the modification of existing curriculum and the creation of new, short-term workforce training pathways in Welding and Fabrication. The college established a twoyear Associate of Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) degree program in Welding and Fabrication in 2021; enhancing the current program and creating new training options will allow the college to train more welders and metal fabricators faster as the industry grows.
“Hudson Valley Community College is focused on training the workforce of the future and proactively addressing the industry need for qualified technicians supporting renewable energy initiatives,” Hudson Valley Community College President Roger Ramsammy stated in the news release. “We are constantly re-imagining our offerings to keep pace with what the future demands, which is what led us to create our new Welding and Fabrication degree program; this grant will allow us to serve even more students with shorter-term training options that fit their schedules and goals with greater flexibility. I am thankful to Governor Hochul and The Offshore Wind Training Institute for selecting Hudson Valley as a recipient of these funds, and recognizing the need for investment in training for renewable energy careers.”
“In partnership with Governor Hochul and NYSERDA, SUNY is proud to help New York State lead the way in clean-energy economic and workforce development — which is an engine of upward mobility for our students. This highly-skilled, well-paid workforce will propel New York State’s clean-energy goals forward, while simultaneously positioning the state to lead the nation in renewable energy, including offshore wind. By developing programs to meet the demands of the offshore wind industry, SUNY can and will respond directly to employer needs to ensure our students are well prepared for this emerging field. I congratulate all of the selected SUNY campuses and look forward to supporting their progress,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. remarked.
“NYSERDA is proud to partner with SUNY on the Offshore Wind Training Institute to prepare New Yorkers for the thousands of family-sustaining jobs that will be realized as we build this new industry from the ground up. These new SUNYled programs will expand offshore wind workforce development and training opportunities to more areas of the state—providing greater access to careers in offshore wind while helping us build New York’s clean-energy future,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris added.
Other campuses receiving awards of up to $500,000 each include Alfred State College, University at Buffalo, Farmingdale State College, Suffolk County Community College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and Stony Brook University.
Hochul launched the request for proposals in October 2022. The grant process is led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in collaboration with Farmingdale State College and Stony Brook University. Applicants were asked to apply under one or more “priority focus areas,” which include expanding existing SUNY curricula relevant to the offshore wind; responding to rapid, targeted training needs; and addressing barriers to entry. Proposals addressed equity needs, long-term outreach to young students, community-driven efforts to raise awareness, and partnerships with connected or adjacent sectors. A second round of awards will be announced in the summer of 2023.