Stacks + Joules Announces Grant from Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) to Expand Tech Training Programs
29 April 2024 - 2:55PM
Business Wire
Grant issued from CHPE Green Economy Fund
created to support disadvantaged workers, low-income New Yorkers,
and transitioning fossil fuel workers in accessing and building
careers in New York State’s green economy.
Stacks + Joules, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
empowering underserved communities with technology skills, today
announced it has received a generous $50,000 grant from the
Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Green Economy Fund (GEF) to
bolster its efforts to provide high-level technology training at no
cost to individuals who might otherwise lack access to these
important opportunities.
A core focus of Stacks + Joules' training programs is building
automation, which will be a critical component of New York’s
transition to a fully electric city. These opportunities are
crucial as our economy pivots away from fossil fuels and towards
green jobs, but the field is often overlooked, making these
programs vital for creating employment opportunities today and into
the future.
This grant will help cover the costs of Stacks + Joules’ ongoing
partnership with the Henry Street Settlement, a community
organization committed to providing comprehensive support services
to training program participants. Henry Street offers a holistic
approach to training, incorporating job readiness and professional
skills development to complement the technical instruction that
Stacks + Joules provides. In addition to initial job placement,
many graduates of Stacks + Joules' programs go on to advance in
their careers, leveraging their initial training as a springboard
to further success.
"Our programs not only address the growing demand for skilled
workers in building automation but also provide participants with a
pathway to sustainable careers," said Michael Conway, Co-Founder
& Executive Director. "With an impressive placement rate of
82% and an average wage of $28 per hour, our graduates are not just
finding jobs—they're building fulfilling careers that support
themselves and their families. We are grateful to the Champlain
Hudson Power Express for their support, and look forward to
continuing this partnership."
“Our support for Stacks + Joules reflects our commitment to
empowering communities and fostering a sustainable workforce for
New York's green economy,” said Laura Gibson, Director of
Workforce Development for Transmission Developers. “Innovative
training programs like this not only develop skills and help create
real work opportunities for individuals, but also contribute to the
broader goal of creating a cleaner, more resilient future for all
New Yorkers.”
“Henry Street Settlement and Stacks + Joules share a commitment
to opening doors for low-income, underserved New Yorkers to careers
that offer both living wages and opportunities for growth while
helping expand the green economy,” said David Garza, Henry Street
president and CEO. “By partnering with a settlement house, Stacks +
Joules is ensuring that students not only learn the skills they
need to work in the burgeoning field of building automation but are
wrapped in support so that they can complete and excel in the
program despite any financial, family, health, or educational
hurdles they face. We’re extremely proud that together we have been
able to help dozens of graduates launch meaningful new careers and
find financial stability.”
The CHPE GEF was designed to finance workforce development
programs for low income and disadvantaged New Yorkers, ensuring
opportunity for all as the State transitions to a green economy. It
supports workers in communities across the state, ensuring that
they have the skills and support that they need to qualify for good
paying jobs in the clean, green economy that New York is building
as the state transitions from the use of fossil fuel.
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Jonathan Spooner jon@stacksandjoules.org 718 781 0141