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UB TCIE secures $300,000 to support offshore wind industry in NYS

Wind turbines in sea in Copenhagen, Denmark.

By FARIDA HOSAINI

Published March 19, 2024

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“This project has the potential to create significant economic opportunities and support the rapidly growing supply chain industry in New York State, addressing our pressing need to increase the capacity and breadth of the local supply chain to meet the state’s ambitious clean energy goals. ”
Timothy Leyh, executive director
UB TCIE

The UB Center for Industrial Effectiveness (UB TCIE) has received a $300,000 grant from the New York State Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI).

The grant is part of $8 million awarded by OWTI to SUNY campuses across the state. 

The UB TCIE project, “Preparing NYS’s Renewable Energy and Offshore Wind Supply Chain,” aims to raise awareness and interest in careers in New York’s supply chain workforce for offshore wind and other sectors focused on renewable energy, including solar, sustainability, green building and nanotechnology. Organizers say the project will foster equitable and informative learning opportunities for historically underrepresented individuals to prepare them for good-paying, supply chain occupations.

“This project has the potential to create significant economic opportunities and support the rapidly growing supply chain industry in New York State, addressing our pressing need to increase the capacity and breadth of the local supply chain to meet the state’s ambitious clean energy goals,” says Timothy Leyh, executive director of UB TCIE.

UB TCIE will collaborate with Farmingdale State College on the project, which will begin with a supply chain industry survey to identify regional workforce needs and opportunities. Results will be featured in a public report and inform development of an online course that introduces learners to manufacturing, construction and other renewable energy supply chain occupations. The course will offer information on current and future supply chain job opportunities, SUNY education and training programs available throughout the state, and wraparound services that equip students for success.

Project leaders will promote the new online course and supply chain career opportunities to students in regional high schools, nontraditional learners and transitioning workers through outreach at community colleges and technical schools, as well as job fairs held in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany regions.