Project Description:
The SP26 Workforce Development team focused on expanding access to Cornell Cooperative Extension's Energy Warriors apprenticeship pipeline while addressing systemic barriers that keep trainees and union apprentices from completing programs. The team conducted broad flyering campaigns across Tompkins County to promote the upcoming Energy Warriors cohort.
The team also researched funding mechanisms to support apprentices, splitting the work into two related tracks. First, they investigated models for helping union apprentices purchase reliable transportation. This research surfaced several potential approaches, including a data-driven barrier-reduction fund modeled on Illinois's program, state-owned shared-ride vouchers, and rotating-access rental fleets. Second, the team searched for unrestricted funding sources to support wraparound services for trainees, since most of the program's current funding is restricted. The team proposed exploring a capital grant to help the program acquire vehicles apprentices could use directly.
Beyond direct program support, the team began laying the groundwork for state-level policy change. They started drafting a legislative proposal, modeled on Maine's pre-apprenticeship law, to formalize direct-entry pre-apprenticeship standards in New York. Their preliminary recommendations include defining "direct entry pre-apprenticeship program" in state law, establishing NYSDOL certification standards with equity-focused outreach requirements, mandating an 18-month interagency study of program funding and completion rates, and creating a public registry of certified programs to improve transparency.
The team looks forward to continuing this work in the 2026-27 school year.