Welcome to this month’s edition of our newsletter! Here, we’ll share what we’re reading, thinking, and doing—and help you stay informed about what other movers and shakers are doing in the green workforce development space. This newsletter is designed as a resource for you, so let us know which topics you’d like to see more of and what resources would be the most helpful!
Inside This Month’s Edition
🚀 Launchpad Updates
Cohort 5 Recruitment Closes Soon: If you—or someone in your network—supports jobseekers entering clean energy careers, this is your moment.
Our Accelerator for Green Workforce Developers is designed for workforce practitioners, career advisors, and program leaders who want to deepen their understanding of industry trends, employer expectations, and real hiring pathways across New York’s clean energy ecosystem.
Applications are due March 6.
Same Us. New Website: We’ve refreshed The Green Launchpad site to reflect how our work is evolving alongside the clean energy transition—focusing on strong human infrastructure, aligned partners, and real hiring pathways. Explore how we support the ecosystem through capacity building, collaborative convenings, advisory support, and practical tools—and discover new ways to collaborate.
Clean Energy Career Connect: We’re excited to share that The Green Launchpad has been selected by a utility funder in a major statewide investment to build New York’s clean energy workforce. In partnership with Henry Street Settlement, New Women New Yorkers, and Energy EDC, we’re launching Clean Energy Career Connect—a free program supporting participants in moving from career exploration into defined clean energy pathways, industry-recognized certifications (including GPRO Fundamentals), and job placement support.
Register for an upcoming info session with New Women New Yorkers or submit an interest form through Henry Street Settlement to get started.
Launching a New Quarterly Thought Series: We’re introducing a quarterly think-piece series on LinkedIn: Building the Bridge: Lessons from the Frontlines of the Clean Energy Workforce. This series will explore the operational challenges, structural misalignments, and uncomfortable truths that shape workforce outcomes in the clean energy transition. Q1 will focus on Employer Engagement—and why building sustainable, sector-wide alignment is harder (and more necessary) than we often admit.
Launchpad at WPTI’s Green Jobs Learning Lab: The Green Launchpad joined Session 3 of the Green Jobs Learning Lab, where Angela shared insights from our NYC Energy Efficiency Employer-Led Workforce Coalition and why structured employer alignment is key to long-term workforce success.
🔍 Career Highlight
Are you looking to better understand the connection between clean energy and workforce development? We’ve got you covered! Watch this short video for a breakdown of The Green Launchpad’s Clean Energy Framework.
Clean energy careers span across multiple sectors, segments, and systems — each playing a vital role in the green workforce. Each month, we’ll spotlight one key sector, segment, or system driving the clean energy transition and highlight the careers and skills shaping the future.
This Month…
We’re diving into the Renewable Energy sector, focusing on Onshore (Land-Based) Wind within the Electric Renewables segment. While onshore wind turbines are not common within New York City, they play a significant role in upstate New York’s energy landscape—converting wind into electricity that powers homes, businesses, and communities statewide. As land-based wind continues to grow across the state, so does the need for skilled technicians and trades professionals who install, maintain, and support this critical infrastructure.
2 Sample Career Pathways in Onshore Wind
Onshore Wind Turbine Technician
Wind turbine technicians install, inspect, maintain, and repair land-based wind turbines. They troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems to ensure turbines operate safely and efficiently.
Onshore Wind Welder
Wind welders fabricate, assemble, and repair structural components of wind turbines—including towers and support structures. Their work ensures structural integrity and long-term durability in challenging outdoor conditions.
Note: This video is not specific to the Onshore Wind Welder role, but it highlights many of the core responsibilities.
Additional Resources:
Onshore Wind Career Pathways
🙌 Launchpad Community Updates
Solar One Earth Day Career & Resorce Fair: Looking to connect with employers, training providers, and community organizations in clean energy? Solar One is hosting an Earth Day Career & Resource Fair on April 22nd, bringing together jobseekers and industry partners across NYC.
Soulful Synergy is Hiring—Career Services Specialist: Soulful Synergy is hiring a Career Services Specialist to support workforce training programs across Westchester and NYC. This mission-driven role blends career coaching, employer partnership development, job placement, and case management—helping participants overcome barriers and access meaningful, long-term employment. Ideal for professionals passionate about economic mobility and community impact.
NYSERDA RFP 6118 — Clean Energy Career Awareness Program: NYSERDA released a new funding opportunity to expand clean energy career awareness statewide. The RFP supports (1) a publicly accessible hub of clean energy teaching resources and (2) professional development for at least 2,000 NYS educators, with 50%+ serving Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) and Priority District Schools. A total of $5.75M is available. Round 1 proposals are due March 30, 2026.
IREC—Clean Energy + IT Career Resource: The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) recently shared a resource highlighting career pathways that bridge clean energy and information technology—an emerging intersection as grid modernization and digital systems expand.
🏛️ Policy Brief
EPA Resinds Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding: The EPA officially reversed its greenhouse gas endangerment finding, reshaping federal climate authority and clean vehicle standards.
Data Center Boom Strains Power Grid: AI-driven data center growth is testing grid capacity, siting policy, and clean energy supply.
NY Explores New Nuclear Development:The state advances nuclear proposals to bolster grid reliability and meet climate goals.
Offshore Wind Legal Wins Continue: Courts uphold offshore wind projects amid ongoing federal opposition.
NYC Invests 28.4M in Clean Heat: Public housing upgrades advance electrification and building decarbonization.
