I've tried uploading this image to this rickety website 7 times now. The quality is literally one-hundredth of what it should be. Who even cares what it looks like?
Image by Aaron Fernando

Energy Warriors Classroom

Two Energy Warriors graduates stand inside a well-lit basement with exposed insulation. One holds caulking gun and the other points toward a corner of a basement that they are weatherizing.
Image by Aaron Fernando

Energy Warriors Graduates in Action

Energy Warriors Graduates stand for a photo with instructors, the City of Ithaca Sustainability Director, and a representative from BlocPower
Image by Aaron Fernando

Fall 2023 Energy Warriors Cohort and Friends

A group of people looking across a field at solar panels.

Field Trip to a Solar Array

Three adult students sit in a classroom lit by natural light from a window off-frame, and discuss with each other during an activity.
Image by Aaron Fernando

Energy Warriors Students

Energy Warriors

Green Career Pathways

The Green Career Pathways provides training for people experiencing barriers to employment to enter the growing green job sector—heat pump and solar installers, insulation technicians, reuse specialists, to name a few. The training is grounded in the the nationally-recognized  Roots of Success curriculum. The collaborative program is unique as it brings together resources from a wide variety of organizations, from private employers to unions to public workforce development agencies to educational organizations, and provides paid training and a nurturing environment for this population. This project will:

  • provide employable job skills through paid training opportunities
  • improve essential work readiness skills based on assessment
  • increase permanent employment post-program
  • improve outreach to affected communities
  • reduce local barriers to opportunities for marginalized people
  • empower participants by helping them understand the root causes of environmental degradation and climate change and mounting inequality, and see the role they can play in addressing these challenges
  • create and train a Green Job Employer’s Council who are committed to creating work environments where trainees can contribute meaningfully and thrive

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants receive an "Environmental Specialist" certificate from the Federal Department of Labor as an approved Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

Next Training

The training program lasts 12 weeks, and is held downtown on the Ithaca Commons at TC3 Extension, room 610. A commitment of at least 8 hours a week is required. Stipends are available for eligible participants as well as additional paid on-the-job training opportunities with the  Finger Lakes ReUse Centers.

The next round will start in September of 2024.

If you are interested in enrolling, you can always fill out the application here, and we will get in touch with applicants as we prepare for the next training program.

You can also check back here and keep an eye on our social media, newsletters, and public communications for updates on Green Career Pathways and other workforce development programs.

Meet the Staff

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Aloja Airewele

Energy Warriors Program Leader

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Patrick Lynch

Environmental Literacy & Work Readiness Educator

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Keegan Young

Environmental Literacy & Work Readiness Educator

Contact

Aloja Airewele
Energy Warriors Program Leader; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
aaa247@cornell.edu
(607) 272-2292 ext. 143

Last updated September 9, 2024