August 31, 2021 (Deer Park, NY) – United Way of Long Island received $250,000 from Bank of America to pilot a new workforce development program ‘Power Up Wind, Solar & Renewables.’ The training will lay the foundation and create a pathway for participants, focused on culturally diverse young adults, to secure careers in the renewable energy industry. It will simultaneously advance economic mobility, as well as help shape the future of employment in our region’s energy sector.
‘Power Up Wind, Solar & Renewables’ will operate out of United Way’s state-of-the-art E3 SmartBuild Training Center, complete with a portable prototype wind turbine. With a 50-hour education curriculum and internships, participants will receive the required technical, functional and soft skills that will lead to employment in the renewables and green construction sectors.
Key to the success of the program will be the integration of training and on-the-job work experiences. Through partnerships with leaders in the green industry, engaging field trips, tours and onsite visits will be critical to allowing participants to gain knowledge and insight into the multitude of career opportunities that are available.
Robert Isaksen, President, Bank of America Long Island, “Bank of America is committed to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. By supporting the United Way of Long Island’s latest initiative, participants will gain valuable education and work experience to put them on a better path to having a successful career and help build a more sustainable, clean energy community for Long Islanders.”
Tom Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of LIPA said, “New York is on our way to achieving a 100 percent carbon-free electric grid by 2040 and increasing renewable energy sources to 70 percent. This new workforce development program will help to prepare the next generation for growing careers in the green energy economy.”
Dennis Galvam, Manager – Outreach Planning for Strategic Projects, at Eversource - Offshore Wind, acknowledged, “On behalf of Sunrise Wind and South Fork Wind we want to thank the Bank of America for investing in the ‘Power Up Wind, Solar & Renewables’ workforce development program. We are excited to work with our friends at the United Way of Long Island to help prepare a workforce for the clean energy future.”
The grant will provide training for 100 students including youth, veterans, unemployed workers and those seeking new careers leading to employment in the offshore wind industry (OSW), renewable/sustainable, smart grid and green construction industries. Harnessing the talent of "opportunity youth" (ages 18 - 24), ‘Power Up Wind, Solar & Renewables’ will interface United Way’s YouthBuild program as an on-the-job training site for young adults.
Rosalie Drago, Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing & Consumer Affairs said, “We welcome this project which collaborates at regional and local levels to address challenges to job connectivity, economic self-sufficiency and equal access to training opportunities for vulnerable individuals who attend United Way's YouthBuild program. The project seeks to eliminate barriers to skilled employment which we believe is a key component in addressing economic inequality.”
Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island noted the importance of increasing access to opportunities for individuals from priority populations, “We are grateful to Bank of America for this generous grant, as it helps us break down barriers for diverse communities to gain employment. This is especially important as New York State continues its commitment to increasing renewable energy sources.”
Roger Clayman, Executive Director of Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO commented, “United Way’s new training program will be a great benefit to the workforce by providing intensive learning in entry level technology career roles. The program will create programs that help people from all backgrounds and experience levels gain skills to pursue rewarding careers in the fast-growing renewable and green construction industry. We believe many of the individuals who benefit from this program will move into long-lasting careers that will strengthen our communities.”
Matthew Cohen, President and CEO, Long Island Association said, “Long Island continues to become the offshore wind capital of the country, which will spur economic growth and create good-paying jobs to help keep young people here. Bank of America’s investment will allow the United Way to prepare a diverse population for careers in this burgeoning industry, maximizing the benefits of the planned wind farms off our coast.”
To learn more about United Way’s green and renewable energy building models, visit www.unitedwayli.org.
Photo Caption:
Bob Isaksen, President of Bank of America Long Island, (front, 4th from right) is joined by industry officials, union members, policy makers and corporate supporters to announce the launch of Power Up, Wind, Solar & Renewables Career Training.
Front row (l to r) Amy Engel, Manager of Environmental and Community Engagement Brookhaven National Lab; YouthBuild participants - Daniel Cuevas, Alexander Pink, Nasheem Nero, Marilyn Castro and Ashley Denis; Isaksen; Dave Calone, CEO, Jove Equity Partners LLC, United Way Board Member; Mathew Aracich, President, Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, United Way Board Member; Rick Wertheim, SVP Housing, United Way; Middle Row (l to r) George Goreman, Jr, Regional Director, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Daniel Lloyd, Founder and President, Minority Millennials, Inc; Alexander Bateman, Partner, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., United Way Board Chair; John Brooks, NY State Senator; Theresa Regnante, President and CEO, United Way; Darryl Clark, Corporate Vice President, Wallace Eannace; John Guadagno, President, IBEW Local 25; Adam Hersch, Director Sales & Marketing, Wallace Eannace; Imran Ansari, Long Island Federation of Labor; Andrea Bonilla, Long Island Director, Workforce Development Institute; Gretshaida Guelee, YouthBuild Job Developer, United Way; Jean-Pierre Lardoux, Principal Architect, Fusion Architecture; Top Row (l to r) David Pollicino, Manager of Energy Services, Cameron Engineering & Associates; Nene Alameda; YouthBuild Workforce Development, United Way; Kathleen Wisnweski, National Grid, Manager of Community and Customer Management; Aster Mehreteab, President and CEO, Leadership Training Institute; Steve Muzyka, Director of Training, United Way; Dennis Galvam, Manager – Outreach Planning for Strategic Projects, Eversource Energy – Offshore Wind; Brian Tymann, Assistant Development Manager, Long Island Markets, North East Offshore – Ørsted; Marc Herbst, Executive Director, Long Island Contractors Association; Michael Deering, Sr. Advisor, Long Island Power Authority; and Craig Fligstein, Chief Grant Officer, United Way.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way of Long Island advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on three key building blocks; health, education and financial stability. It is our priority to create equity across Long Island by investing in partnerships, helping the most vulnerable and at risk through organizations and programs that demonstrate raising the bar for fairness and equal access to services. Our organization provides a united solution and impact, fighting for families across Long Island.
We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. United Way of Long Island is an independent locally-operated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, led and governed by an independent Board of Directors. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit UnitedWayLI.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.