Generating Equity: Pathways to Union Careers in Clean Energy
When & Where
Date & Time
Location
The Desmond Hotel-Crowne Plaza Albany
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany , NY 12211
United States
Overview
On March 1st and 2nd, Cornell ILR Climate Jobs Institute will host a statewide conference, “Generating Equity: Pathways to Union Careers in Clean Energy.” This gathering will build upon our recently released report, “Building an Equitable, Diverse, and Unionized Clean Energy Economy: What We Can Learn from Apprenticeship Readiness.” We will engage in panel discussions, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities as we continue to advance and build New York State’s clean energy economy. Participants will also engage with practitioners from across the state who are working to ensure that we simultaneously meet our climate goals and effectively address issues of equity. Together, we will explore how to create good union jobs that prioritize frontline and historically marginalized communities. Speakers will include representatives from organized labor, community organizations, government and industry partners, and others on the frontlines of this work.
Download a digital copy of our report, “Building an Equitable, Diverse, and Unionized Clean Energy Economy: What We Can Learn from Apprenticeship Readiness.”
Conference Themes:
- Addressing Equity Through High Road Labor Standards
- Building Power through Community Labor Partnerships
- Basics of Successful Pre-apprenticeships
- Building Trades 101
- Expanding Pathways from Frontline Communities to High-Quality Careers in Manufacturing
- Opportunities for Justice-Involved Communities
- Women in the Trades and Manufacturing
- Is There a Workforce Shortage or Good Jobs Shortage?
- Mapping NYS’s Climate Workforce Needs by Region
- Assessing NYS’s Current Climate Workforce Infrastructure
- Addressing Barriers to Access
- Workforce Demand Forecasting
Breakfast will be served from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM on both days.
Lunch will also be provided.
A special guestroom rate will be available for the nights of 2/29/24 and 3/1/24. Reservation information will be included in the conference registration confirmation.
Agenda
Friday, March 1
9AM - 9:30AM
Fort Orange Ballroom
Opening Remarks & Room Introductions from Dr. Lara Skinner, Executive Director, Climate Jobs Institute, Cornell ILR
9:30AM - 9:45AM
Remarks from Senator Jessica Ramos (Video) & Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman
9:45AM - 10AM
Creating an Ecosystem to Prioritize Equity and High-Quality Jobs in the Clean Energy Economy - Zach Cunningham, Climate Jobs Institute, Cornell ILR
10AM -10:20AM
Remarks from Doreen Harris, President & CEO of NYSERDA & Roberta Reardon, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor
10:20AM - 10:30AM
Remarks from Senator Pete Harckham (Video) & Assemblymember Patricia Fahy
10:30AM - 10:45AM
Break
10:45AM - 12PM
Ensuring Access to Good Jobs: Addressing Equity Through High Road Labor Standards
Moderator: Melissa Shetler
- Vinny Albanese, New York State Laborers
- Amy Peterson, United States Department of Energy
- Davon Lomax, IUPAT District Council 9
- Crickett Thomas-Odell, Workforce Development Institute
- Carter Strickland, SUNY
12PM - 1PM
Lunch in Fort Orange Courtyard
1PM - 2PM
Clean Energy Careers: Overcoming Barriers to Entry for Underserved Communities - Fort Orange 7
Moderator: Melissa Shetler
- Jodi Anderson Jr., Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative, Cornell ILR
- Ellice Switzer, Yang-Tan Institute, Cornell ILR
- Justice Favor, Laborers’ Local 79
- Samantha Pugh, The Fortune Society
Working with the Building Trades: An Introduction to Construction Unionism - Shaker Room
Moderator: Jeff Grabelsky
- Davon Lomax, IUPAT District Council 9
- Michael Yee, IBEW Local 3
Building Pathways to Success: From Pre-apprenticeship to Union Careers - Fort Orange 5
Moderator: Zach Cunningham
- Crickett Thomas-O’Dell, Workforce Development Institute
- Nicole Bertrán, Construction Skills
2PM - 2:15PM
Break & Workshop Rotation
2:15PM - 3:15PM
Workshops & Breakouts
- Clean Energy Careers: Overcoming Barriers to Entry for Underserved Communities - Fort Orange 7
- Working with the Building Trades: An Introduction to Construction Unionism - Shaker Room
- Building Pathways to Success: From Pre-apprenticeship to Union Careers - Fort Orange 5
3:15PM - 3:30PM
Break
3:30PM - 4PM
Fort Orange Ballroom
Full Room Facilitated Discussions and Reflections
4PM - 4:20PM
Remarks from Melinda Person, NYSUT
4:20PM - 4:45PM
Closing Activity and Remarks from Jeff Grabelsky, Climate Jobs Institute and Worker Institute, Cornell ILR
4:45PM
Adjourn
5PM - 6:30PM
Cocktail Reception
*Agenda subject to change
Saturday, March 2
9AM - 9:15AM
Fort Orange Ballroom
Zach Cunningham Welcoming Remarks
9:15AM - 9:45AM
Remarks from Senator Rachel May & Chris Erikson, Business Manager of IBEW Local 3
9:45AM - 11:45AM
Panels
Building a Robust Labor Market in the Clean Energy Economy
Moderator: Lara Skinner
- Ryan Stanton, Long Island Federation of Labor AFL-CIO
- Erik Antokal, Orsted
- James Slevin, Utility Workers Union of America
Building Power through Labor Community Partnerships
Moderator: Melissa Shetler
- Daryl Wright, Emerald Cities Collaborative
- Mike Roles, Climate Jobs Rhode Island
- Lenore Friedlaender, Climate Jobs NY
11:45AM - 12PM
Closing Remarks
12PM - 1PM
Lunch
*Agenda subject to change
