On-the-Job Training (OJT) for Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology

If changes are made to this solicitation notification will be posted on NYSERDA’s website at:
www.nyserda.ny.gov/funding-opportunities

May 17, 2023 The following changes have been made to PON 3982:

• Added new eligible energy Efficiency and clean Technology: Electric Vehicles (manufacturing only)
• Specified that worker candidates must not be a past participant in the PON 3982: On-the-Job Training Program.
• Clarified that the program is not intended to support the hiring of highly credentialed, experienced workers for senior-level or management positions. Applications must demonstrate clear clean energy skills gaps that will be addressed through a robust training plan to be eligible for funding.
• Established that in cases where revisions to an application are requested by NYSERDA, the updated document(s) need to be uploaded to the NYSERDA Portal within 10 days of the original outreach.
• Added reference that the Business Application now includes PON 4772: Climate Justice Fellowship Program.
• Updated the minimum duration of work eligible for reimbursement from 5 days to 35 hours.
• Clarified that applications for funding under this PON are ineligible if other sources of funding, including but not limited to, NYSERDA contracts, federal or other state and local grants, or other incentives have already been awarded for the same staff or project. Added stipulation that funding from other NYSERDA contracts cannot be used for cost share associated with a new hire supported through the On-the-Job Training Program.

August 18, 2022 The following changes have been made to PON 3982:

- Reduced funding available to $5.5 million based on funding spent and reserved for new hires to date.

- Updated business eligibility criteria to indicate that: Eligible businesses with multiple branches, locations and/or related companies under separate names with unique Federal Employer Identification Numbers (FEINs) will generally be considered single entities but may be considered separate eligible businesses at the sole discretion of NYSERDA. National or chain accounts are considered a single "eligible business."

- Updated deadline for applications so that new Hire Applications must be submitted no later than 7 days after the new hire’s start date.

- Updated eligibility for new hires so that new hires may not be a relative of any employee at the business.

- Added Electric vehicle charging stations as an eligible technology for the On-the-Job Training program.

- Clarified that municipalities are not eligible to participate in the PON.

-Updated the General Conditions to NYSERDA's current standard General Conditions.

The following changes have been made to PON 3982 as of November 4, 2021:

- Reduced funding available to $8.5 million based on funding spent and reserved for new hires to date

-Applications accepted through December 31, 2024, by 3:00 PM Eastern Time

- Businesses must have at least two employees who receive an IRS W-2 form and who work full-time, defined as at least 35 hours per week (requirement waived for registered MBEs, WBEs, and SDVOBs). Additional guidance on eligible employee totals is provided in the PON Summary.

- Business applications for PON 4000: Clean Energy Internship Program and PON 3982: On-the-Job Training Program (OJT) are combined into a single application, located on the NYSERDA portal. Businesses may be approved for participation in one or both programs.

- Offshore Wind and land-based wind for electric power generation are now eligible technologies for the On-the-Job Training program.

Eligible businesses providing design, construction or operation and maintenance services on large-scale (5 MW or greater) wind or solar generation projects may be asked to provide documentation to demonstrate that they have a contract or direct subcontract on a generation project funded by NYSERDA/Clean Energy Standard.

- Solar thermal is now an eligible technology for the On-the-Job Training program.

- NYSERDA's cost share is capped at a maximum of $24 per hour for each hire.

- Organizations who hired climate justice fellows through NYSERDA's PON 4772 can be approved through the OJT Program to hire those fellows under PON 3982 at the conclusion of the fellowship term to extend their work on fellowship projects and initiatives.

- Businesses work with their assigned New York State Department of Labor Business Service Representative to prepare each New Hire Application. Then, businesses submit New Hire Applications through the businesses’ NYSERDA Portal account.

The following updates have been made to the PON Program Summary to provide clarification on program requirements:

1) Added language specifying that activities focused on community outreach are not eligible for funding through the On-the-Job Training Program.
2) Added language verifying that traditional trades positions are not eligible unless the job and the related OJT plan are directly connected to one or more of the eligible energy efficiency and clean energy technology categories.
3) Added language specifying that businesses or organizations that use outside agencies for hiring and payment of employees are not eligible. The business participating in the OJT program must be the entity employing and paying the employees.
4) Clarified that businesses must maintain documentation of OJT activities related to the approved Training Plan; however, this documentation does not need to be provided within the first four weeks of the training period.
5) Noted that applications for funding under this PON are ineligible if other sources of funding, including but not limited to, federal grants or incentives have already been awarded for the same staff or project.

NYSERDA's OJT for Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology program will provide wage subsidies to eligible businesses to help reduce the financial risk of hiring and training new workers. This program enables New York State to meet the objectives of the Clean Energy Fund and advance the climate equity and just transition goals of New York'd Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by developing a workforce equipped to perform jobs in energy efficiency and clean technology, and supporting disadvantaged and priority populations as defined above.

NYSERDA is working closely with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to deliver the OJT program and help develop job skills for new workers in energy efficiency and clean technology businesses. The NYSDOL assists participating businesses with developing OJT training plans as well as assessing necessary skills and identifying available workers that match those skills. The primary purpose of OJT funding is to train new hires for clean energy work. The program cannot support workers hired by businesses prior to approval of an application to participate in the program and hire a new worker.

The following changes have been made to PON 3982 as  of May 21, 2021:

-Businesses certified in New York City as a minority-owned or women-owned enterprise are eligible for increased incentives.
-For Eligible Businesses that are a New York State registered or New York City-certified minority-owned, women-owned, and/or service-disabled veteran owned business, the two full-time-equivalent employee minimum requirement is waived.
-Under the General Clean Energy category, for businesses with 101 or more employees that are not registered in New York State or certified in New York City as an MBE/WBE/SDVOB, incentives are only available to hire members from Disadvantaged Communities and Priority Populations.

The following changes have been made to PON 3982 as of February 25th, 2021:

-Up to 12.5 million available for program funding.
-Age for participating in work preparedness was listed as 18-24 years old. The age range was adjusted to 16-24 years old.
-Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) now receive additional incentives.
-Worker candidates must not be a relative of business owners/principals/hiring managers. “Relative” shall include the following relationships: relationships established by blood, marriage, or legal action. Examples include but are not limited to spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, etc. The term also includes domestic partners (a person with whom the employee’s life is interdependent and who shares a common residence) and a daughter or son of an employee’s domestic partner.
-Businesses now begin the registration process by completing the “Business Registration Form.”
-If a participating business does not invoice NYSERDA within ten weeks after a candidate starts, the agreement can be terminated. The OJT hire must complete four weeks of work before the Contractor can invoice. The participating business will be given 60 days after the contracted OJT end date to invoice for the remaining awarded amount. After the 60 days, NYSERDA reserves the right to terminate or close the agreement and release any remaining funds back into the program budget.
-“Business Application” renamed to “New Hire Application”
-Service-Disabled Veteran Owned option added to the New Hire Application.
-“EE/Weatherization,” “Heat Pump,” and “EV Charging Stations” added to the New Hire Application under primary technology area of new hire section.
-The OJT hire must complete four weeks of work before the business can invoice NYSERDA and businesses are only allowed to invoice once a month for each hire.
-Businesses can see the most recent list of priority populations at the following link: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Workforce-Development/Definitions
-The OJT hire must complete a minimum of 5 days on the job to be eligible for reimbursement.
-NYSERDA reserves the right to terminate Contractors from the program who receive complaints or other serious charges from employees or new hires.
-NYSERDA will not reimburse for wages covered by any federal or state loan or grant program.
-Individuals who worked as interns for a business previously under NYSERDA’s PON 4000 may be hired under the OJT program, however they cannot start work as a full-time direct employee prior to being approved through the OJT program application process.
-Added Disadvantaged Communities to target training audience.

NYSERDA’s OJT for Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology program will provide wage subsidies to eligible businesses to help reduce the financial risk of hiring and training new workers. This program enables New York State to meet the objectives of the Clean Energy Fund and advance the climate equity and just transition goals of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by developing a workforce equipped to perform jobs in energy efficiency and clean technology, and supporting disadvantaged and priority populations as defined above.

NYSERDA is working closely with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to deliver the OJT program and help develop job skills for new workers in energy efficiency and clean technology businesses. The NYSDOL assists participating businesses with developing OJT training plans as well as assessing necessary skills and identifying available workers that match those skills. The primary purpose of OJT funding is to train new hires for clean energy work. The program cannot support workers hired by businesses prior to approval of an application to participate in the program and hire a new worker.

The following changes have been made to PON 3982 as of April 2020:

-Available funding increased to $14 million
-All incentives, maximum funding amounts (i.e., caps), and COVID-19 specific provisions are subject to change on 12/31/20.
-Eligible businesses seeking to hire workers related to heat pump installation, regardless of the number of employees, are eligible for OJT incentives at 75 percent of a new employee’s hourly wage for 16 weeks or 24 weeks if the employee is from a priority population. Business will be required to provide a 25 percent cost share.
-Eligible businesses with 100 employees or less, NYSERDA funding is capped at $150,000 per business for traditional workers. There is no maximum cap for any size firm for hiring priority populations.
-Eligible businesses over 100 employees, incentives are only available to hire priority populations, with no cap on the number of individuals from priority populations that they can hire.
-NYSERDA retains the right to limit participation in this program, including but not limited to limiting the number of hires at any time, for any reason.
-Furloughed or laid-off employees not participating in the OJT program prior to the Covid-19 workforce reduction are not eligible to be rehired under the OJT program.
-The on-the-job training must be for a new full-time job (defined as 35 hours or more per week). Unless otherwise approved by the NYSERDA Project Manager. Businesses investigating Shared Work options with the NYSDOL may be eligible to receive OJT reimbursement for part-time positions. The specifics of Shared Work can be found at: https://labor.ny.gov/ui/employerinfo/shared-work-program.shtm
-On a case-by-case basis special considerations may be reviewed and approved by the NYSERDA Project Manager for Contractors impacted by COVID-19. Special considerations may include but are not limited to:
• Full-time OJT hires that transitioned to part-time status may be eligible to continue receiving OJT reimbursement.
• Contractors may be eligible to rehire OJT hires laid off to complete their OJT contract.
• Contractors may be eligible to invoice for reimbursement at any time once a person is hired.
• Contractors may be eligible to hire independent contractors as direct employees under OJT and receive reimbursement.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is seeking applications to advance the goals of the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) by developing a workforce equipped to perform jobs in energy efficiency and clean technology. NYSERDA will provide incentives to eligible energy efficiency and clean technology businesses throughout the supply chain to hire and provide on-the-job training for new workers.

For the purposes of this solicitation:
- “Workers” include those individuals who design, manufacture, specify, sell/distribute, install, operate, maintain, repair, audit, inspect, and train people on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies and systems.
- “Priority populations” of potential hires (or Priority Workers) include the following groups:
o Veterans
o Native Americans
o Individuals with disabilities
o Low-income individuals at or below 60% of State median income, including those participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program.
o Unemployed power plant workers
o 18- to 24-year-olds participating in work preparedness training programs, that include energy related technical training, such as BOCES, technical high schools, Conservation Corps, Youthbuild, AmeriCorps, etc

“Eligible Applicants” are energy efficiency and clean technology businesses and business or labor management organizations working on behalf of energy efficiency or clean technology businesses located in New York State. These applicants must provide services in the following areas: high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); renewable heating and cooling; high efficiency water heating; insulation and air sealing; high efficiency lighting and controls; building automation and controls; smart grid; energy storage; solar electric (e.g., solar photovoltaics); and related areas. Additional targeted areas related to energy efficiency and clean technology areas may be included in the future. Energy efficiency and clean technology training providers also may apply for OJT support to expand their clean energy training staff.

Description of goods to services to be bid:

January 10th, 2020:  The following changes have been made to PON 3982:

Revised December 2019:

Summary:

• Available funding reduced from $10 million to $9 million.

• Application deadline extended to October 31, 2023 by 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Solar electric technology (e.g., solar photovoltaics) added to the list of services eligible under the OJT incentive.

• Eligible Applicants seeking to hire workers related to solar electric technology (e.g., solar photovoltaics), regardless of the number of employees, are eligible for OJT incentives for an individual in a priority population only, at 50 percent of a new employee’s hourly wage, for 24 weeks.

• The following language added to the Funding section: Program requirements, terms and conditions may change at any time and notification will be sent to all companies under contract with NYSERDA to inform them of any changes that will apply to their agreement.

• Job description/list of job duties added to the Intent to Apply application.

• The following language added to the Requirements and Assurances section: Applicants that are on probation in other NYSERDA programs are not eligible to participate in the program while on probation.

The following language added to the Reporting section:

• The Contractor must complete and submit mid-point and final evaluations of each OJT hire to NYSERDA and NYSDOL. Failure to submit completed evaluations in a timely manner may result in disallowance of OJT funds.

• The Contractor must notify NYSERDA, in writing, if any approved OJT candidate is terminated or quits, within two weeks of the change in employment status.

• If a Contractor does not invoice NYSERDA within ten weeks after a candidate starts, the agreement can be terminated.

• Based on past experience with OJT programs, NYSERDA anticipates job retention rates for new hires to be 70 to 80 percent. Contractors that are unable to retain a minimum of 70 percent of their new hires may be terminated from the program or subject to additional requirements related to reporting, monitoring, and minimum employment periods before wages will be reimbursed.

• Contractors that are placed on probation in other NYSERDA programs may not be eligible to participate in the program while on probation.

• The Contractor must invoice NYSERDA within ten weeks after the OJT hire date. The OJT hire must complete four weeks of work before the Contractor can invoice. The Contractor will be given 30 days after the contracted OJT end date to invoice for the remaining awarded amount. After the 30 days, NYSERDA reserves the right to terminate or close the agreement and release any remaining funds back into the program budget.

Attachment A: Business Application

• The following language added: Contractors must comply with the PON in effect at the time of NYSERDA’s acceptance of the Business Application and must conform to the corresponding NYSERDA-approved Business Application. The PON identifies the current applicant eligibility, funding and incentives, application and evaluation process, requirements and assurances, and reporting requirements. The PON may be changed by NYSERDA at any time, and changes will be applicable to all Contractors participating in the program. Notice of all such changes will be provided to the participating Contractors via email address identified in the Business Application. Notice of all such changes will also be posted on NYSERDA’s website.

• Solar Electric added to list under Primary Technology Area of New Hire section.

• New section added – New Hire Contact Information.

NYSERDA is seeking proposals to advance the goals of the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) by developing a workforce equipped to perform jobs in energy efficiency and clean technology, including training workers with skills and credentials to design, manufacture, specify, sell/distribute, install, operate, maintain, repair, audit, and inspect clean energy technology and systems.

For the purposes of this solicitation:

- “Workers” include those individuals who design, manufacture, specify, sell/distribute, install, operate, maintain, repair, audit, inspect, and train people on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies and systems.

- “Priority populations” of potential hires (or Priority Workers) include the following groups:

o Veterans
o Native Americans
o Individuals with disabilities
o Low-income individuals at or below 60% of State median income, including those participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program.
o Unemployed power plant workers
o 18- to 24-year-olds participating in work preparedness training programs, that include energy related technical training, such as BOCES, technical high schools, Conservation Corps, Youthbuild, AmeriCorps, etc

“Eligible Applicants” are energy efficiency and clean technology businesses and business or labor management organizations working on behalf of energy efficiency or clean technology businesses located in New York State. These applicants must provide services in the following areas: high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); renewable heating and cooling; high efficiency water heating; insulation and air sealing; high efficiency lighting and controls; building automation and controls; smart grid; energy storage; solar electric (e.g., solar photovoltaics); and related areas. Additional targeted areas related to energy efficiency and clean technology areas may be included in the future. Energy efficiency and clean technology training providers also may apply for OJT support to expand their clean energy training staff.

NYSERDA is requesting proposals from eligible applicants seeking incentives to hire and provide on-the-job training (OJT) for workers for energy efficiency and clean technology jobs. Additional incentives are available for priority populations, as identified above.

The following changes have been made to PON 3982:

1. Summary: Clarification of language referring to eligibility of hires. Only completely new employees are eligible for this incentive, not contract employees, nor existing employees.

2. Attachment A: Business Application – Under Business Information section, number of employees has been added.

NYSERDA is seeking proposals to advance the goals of the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) by developing a workforce equipped to perform jobs in energy efficiency and clean technology, including training workers with skills and credentials to design, manufacture, specify, sell/distribute, install, operate, maintain, repair, audit, and inspect clean energy technology and systems.

For the purposes of this solicitation:

- “Workers” include those individuals who design, manufacture, specify, sell/distribute, install, operate, maintain, repair, audit, inspect, and train people on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies and systems.

- “Priority populations” of potential hires (or Priority Workers) include the following groups:

o Veterans
o Native Americans
o Individuals with disabilities
o Low-income individuals at or below 60% of State median income, including those participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program.
o Unemployed power plant workers
o 18- to 24-year-olds participating in work preparedness training programs, that include energy related technical training, such as BOCES, technical high schools, Conservation Corps, Youthbuild, AmeriCorps, etc

“Eligible Applicants” are energy efficiency and clean technology businesses and business or labor management organizations working on behalf of energy efficiency or clean technology businesses located in New York State. These applicants must provide services in the following areas: high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); renewable heating and cooling; high efficiency water heating; insulation and air sealing; high efficiency lighting and controls; building automation and controls; smart grid; energy storage; and related areas. Additional targeted areas related to energy efficiency and clean technology areas may be included in the future. Energy efficiency and clean technology training providers also may apply for OJT support to expand their clean energy training staff.

NYSERDA is requesting proposals from eligible applicants seeking incentives to hire and provide on-the-job training (OJT) for workers for energy efficiency and clean technology jobs. Additional incentives are available for priority populations, as identified above.

If changes are made to this solicitation notification will be posted on NYSERDA’s website at:  www.nyserda.ny.gov/funding-opportunities 

Due Date: 12/31/2024 3:00 PM

Contract Term: Applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis dependent on funding availability until October 30, 2020

Location: New York State

Ad Type: General