UB is one of eight SUNY institutions that will share $4 million in funding in the second round of New York State’s Offshore Wind Training Institute grants.

The awards, announced last week by Gov. Kathy Hochul, will support programs at the SUNY institutions designed to prepare students for careers in the emerging offshore wind industry. The programs will expand workforce development and training initiatives for jobs in constructing, manufacturing, installing, operating and maintaining offshore wind farms.

Hochul previously announced the first round of $4 million for Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI) grants last May. In total, 28 grants worth $8 million has been awarded across SUNY campuses.

“As New York State continues to lead the nation in our transition to clean energy, the Offshore Wind Training Institute is helping to ensure our state’s workforce is prepared to fill the jobs we need to reach our ambitious energy goals,” Hochul said. “Through this grant program, we are equipping students with the tools they need to fill the clean energy jobs of the future and build a greener New York for generations to come."

The $20 million OWTI was launched in 2020 in collaboration with SUNY’s Farmingdale State College and Stony Brook University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to advance offshore wind training programs and the educational infrastructure needed to establish a skilled workforce that can support the emerging national offshore wind industry. 

In addition to UB, other SUNY campuses receiving awards were the University at Albany, Farmingdale State College, Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Stony Brook University.

Applicants for the grants applied under one or more “priority focus areas,” which include expanding existing SUNY curricula relevant to offshore wind; responding to rapid, targeted training needs; and addressing barriers to entry. Winning proposals addressed equity needs, long-term outreach to young students, community-driven efforts to raise awareness and partnerships with connected or adjacent sectors.