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- Launchpad Connect: Heating Up with Thermal Systems, NY's Clean Energy Momentum, Convening to Build Bridges
Launchpad Connect: Heating Up with Thermal Systems, NY's Clean Energy Momentum, Convening to Build Bridges
June 2025 Edition
Angela N. Son
June 03, 2025
Welcome to this month’s edition of our newsletter! We’ll use this space to share what we’re reading, thinking, and doing and to help you stay informed about what other movers and shakers are doing in the green workforce development space. This newsletter is a resource built for you, so let us know what topics you’d like to see more of and what resources would be the most helpful!
Inside This Month’s Edition
The Green Workforce Brief
Federal Energy Shakeups: What’s Changing?
🔗 Offshore Wind Work Resumes in NY: The U.S. has lifted a stop-work order on Equinor’s Empire Wind project off the New York coast after a compromise was reached on rerouting a natural gas pipeline. This reversal allows construction to proceed on one of the nation’s largest offshore wind projects, which could play a pivotal role in scaling offshore wind jobs along the East Coast.
🔗 Trump Tax Bill Raises Clean Energy Alarms: A tax bill passed by the House could roll back several clean energy incentives embedded in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Advocates warn this legislation could undercut investment certainty and job growth in the clean energy sector — especially for solar, wind, and advanced manufacturing industries already facing headwinds.
New York Scales Up Clean Energy Projects and Inclusive Workforce Plans
🔗 STEM Workforce Equity Blueprint Released: A new landscape analysis by Work on Climate highlights key barriers and opportunities to building an equitable, advanced STEM cleantech workforce across NY and NJ. The report recommends targeted interventions for workforce developers and funders to increase access for underrepresented communities.
🔗 $25M for Clean Energy Buildings: NYSERDA has launched $25 million in grant funding to support clean energy upgrades in large buildings, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities. The program is part of a broader effort to decarbonize the building stock while creating clean energy retrofit jobs.
🔗 PSC Greenlights Energy Efficiency Investments: The NY Public Service Commission has approved a suite of new energy efficiency and building electrification programs designed to reduce utility bills for consumers while accelerating clean energy adoption statewide. These programs are expected to boost workforce demand in areas like weatherization, HVAC, and building retrofits.
🔗 Hochul Announces 26 Renewable Energy Contracts: Governor Hochul unveiled contracts for 26 new large-scale, land-based renewable energy projects across New York. These projects are anticipated to create thousands of clean energy construction and operations jobs, reinforcing the state’s position as a national leader in renewable deployment.
TGL’S Clean Energy Industry Framework
Are you looking to understand how clean energy and workforce development connect? We’ve got you covered! Watch this short video, in which we break down The Green Launchpad’s Clean Energy Framework.
Clean energy careers span multiple sectors, segments, and systems, each playing a vital role in the green workforce. Our framework breaks it down into:
4 Key Sectors – Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Renewable Energy,
Clean Transportation2 Major Verticals – Electric Systems & Thermal Systems
Every month, we’ll explore one key technology & system driving the clean energy transition and highlight the careers and skills shaping the future.
This Month…
We’re shifting our focus from electric efficiency segment to Thermal Efficiency segment, highlighting Heating systems within the Energy Efficiency sector. Back in February, we explored the electric systems vertical through HVAC and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems. This month, we’re turning our attention to how heating systems drive thermal performance in buildings and industrial processes.
Heating systems — including furnaces, boilers, radiant heat, and thermal storage — play a vital role in improving energy use in colder climates and across sectors. Innovations like high-efficiency combustion, smart thermostats, and renewable-compatible systems (such as solar thermal and heat networks) are helping reduce waste and emissions while keeping people warm. Improving thermal efficiency through upgraded systems and better building envelopes supports climate goals, lowers energy bills, and creates green jobs in design, installation, and maintenance.
2 Sample Career Pathways in Heating Systems
🔗 Boilermaker (Boiler Service Technician)
Job Description: Install, maintain, and repair steam boilers and auxiliary systems by reading blueprints, aligning metal sections, and using hand and power tools. Tasks include inspecting safety valves and controls, cleaning systems, and assisting in pressure testing. Boilermakers are one of the skilled tradespeople who help build and maintain parts of heating and cooling (HVAC/R) systems.
Education, Certifications, and Licenses: High school or GED; Boiler Operating License, if required by local government; Driver’s license (preferred). No formal certification; however, certificates in the following are preferred depending on the specific job role: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certifications, BPVC Section IX (Welding), OSHA 40, OSHA 62, and G60
Career Pathway: Grow into roles like Lead Boilermaker and Boilermaker Inspector
🔗 Heat Pump Water Heater Installer
Job Description: Installs, repairs, and maintains heat pump water heater systems. Assesses the site and determines the most appropriate equipment and set up.
Education, Certifications, and Licenses: No formal certification specific to the technology; existing plumbers and/or HVAC/R technicians are of.ten upskilled in heat pump technology to perform these installations
Career Pathway: Lead Installer, Project Supervisor
Additional Resources:
NY Clean Heating & Cooling – Explore New York Clean Heating & Cooling Careers
Heat Pump Water Heater Installers in New York
Launchpad’s May Lookback
May was a month of bridge-building, collaboration, and celebration for The Green Launchpad! We were proud to co-host an energizing event on e-mobility and workforce development with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Bronx Tech Hub. The room was buzzing with energy as stakeholders from government, philanthropy, schools, workforce organizations, and the private sector came together to explore how the clean transportation transition can create accessible career pathways for Bronx residents.
We also celebrated a major milestone — Angela’s completion of the Workforce Systems Leadership Program! This dynamic training brought together leaders working to strengthen workforce systems across New York. Huge thanks to Coro New York and the Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI) for guiding and hosting such a transformative experience.
Earlier in the month, we co-hosted a happy hour with the Willdan Clean Energy Academy. It was a great chance to connect with fellow clean energy advocates — keep an eye out for the next one!
 NYPA x Bronx Tech Hub x TGL emobility and workforce development Event |  WCEA x TGL Happy Hour |  Workforce Systems Leadership Program |
Launchpad Updates
After a busy spring, we’re focusing on what matters most: building strong connections. This month, we opened the waitlist for Cohort 4 and continued developing our employer partnership model to better connect workforce professionals with clean energy job opportunities.
We also pushed our thinking on Employer Partnership Models! Read Angela and her WSLP teammates’ research on Best Practices for Employer Partnership Models!
