Clarkson University announced today it has been awarded a nearly $900,000 three-year grant to train 16 to 24 year olds to become home energy auditors and weatherization specialists in Northern New York. The grant was received from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through its Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training program.
Clarkson University’s Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training program, in conjunction with Clarkson University’s Institute for STEM Education, will offer this new and innovative program to prepare young people for jobs and careers in home energy efficiency and clean technologies. As part of their training, the young workforce will assist interested homeowners to reduce their overall energy costs.
The program is being led by a project team that includes Visiting Assistant Professor of Honors Ryan Deuel as Principal Investigator (PI), Project Manager Rajiv Narula, and local Consultant Robert Penski along with Director for the Institute for STEM Education Kathleen Kavanagh, STEM Ed’s Manager of K-12 Programs Leigha Burkhalter, and Assistant Director of Environmental Programs Brigette Walsh.
Participants will learn how to conduct a preliminary energy assessment of their own home first. Data will then go to Clarkson University students enrolled in data science, engineering, and business programs, who will generate preliminary home energy reports that will be provided back to the trainees, including benchmarks or comparisons of energy use with similar homes and families.
Adele Ferranti, Director of Workforce Development and Training, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said “New York’s workforce must be ready to meet the growing needs of the clean energy job market. NYSERDA is thrilled to support Clarkson University’s exciting new program that will train young people in New York’s northern communities in the latest home energy efficiency and clean technologies, opening the door to good-paying, family sustaining jobs.”
The plan will suggest ways to make homes more energy efficient based on experiences of similar homes and families. Those who are interested can apply for a free, summer-long training program designed to prepare them for careers as Residential Energy Auditors, Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Technicians, and Clean Energy Technicians. Participants have opportunities for internships and apprenticeships to gain additional experience and apply what they learn.
“We are excited to offer young people in the North Country career pathways in home energy while simultaneously helping community members improve their home efficiencies,” said Kavanagh, Robert A. Plane Endowed Chair and Professor of Mathematics. “The program is data-driven, and youths will learn how to gather and analyze data to match best practices with the attributes of a family and their home energy usage. They will acquire basic skills in using equipment and devices to measure and improve energy efficiency, how to air seal and insulate, and to prepare homes for the transition to clean energy options — including technologies like heat-pump powered hot water heaters.”
“This is a great time for young people to explore home energy careers in our region,” said Deuel. “There are new technologies – such as heat pumps and artificial intelligence – as well as new materials for insulating and air sealing that can greatly benefit homeowners in Upstate New York. There are also a variety of incentives available to homeowners to make investments in energy efficiency and clean technologies, creating good jobs for our young people.”
Key partners in this effort include Clarkson’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson’s Honors Program, Clarkson’s Data Science Department, the St. Lawrence County Community Development Program’s Weatherization Assistance Program, ANCA’s North Country Clean Energy Hub, the St. Lawrence County Cooperative Extension’s Energy Navigator Program, Bob Owens of G.R.O. Energy Systems, Schulze Construction, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, and especially the staff at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Youths aged 16 to 24, teachers, counselors, businesses and agencies with an interest in home energy and home energy careers can learn more by contacting Rajiv Narula, Project Manager, at rnarula@clarkson.edu.