Bridges to Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
The Bridges to Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (REST) program is currently running through 2027 and is avaialable to all NYC community members at a variety of schools, community based organizations, libraries, and other host site throughout NYC.
The Bridges to REST program was developed to expose students to the wide variety of renewable energy and sustainable technology systems, methods, training programs, and careers in Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Hydropower Energy, Green Construction/ Green Building, Earth Systems (Ecological Restoration and Organic Farming), and Geothermal Energy.
This program is meant to be the first step on a career pathway in renewable energy and sustainable technology and will provide students with in-depth information about next-step technical workforce training programs, apprenticeship programs, internships, and jobs in related fields.
The curriculum covers history, science, methods, systems, and practices related to renewable energy and sustainable technology, and touches on recent regulations and laws meant to encourage and discourage the growth of the field.
The full program includes:
The Bridges to Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology course which is made up of 6 modules: Green Building & Construction, Wind Power, Water Power, Solar Energy, Earth, and Fire Energy. We have made the program flexible and customizable with the ability for students to complete the full course or individual modules as it pertains to their interests and needs. This is also done to respect students’ current employment, educational and personal responsibilities.
REST Career Development (included in 5 day presentations) provides resources to help students explore related jobs and career pathways, including the services that are available to them and covers workplace etiquette, job search skills & tools, resume building tips & considerations, interviewing skills, career navigation & mapping, and much more.
The curriculum includes hands-on activities, lectures,site visits when possible, guest speakers including industry experts and employer partners, and other workforce training organizations and programs.
Students will also receive information about apprenticeships and job training programs throughout the city at other schools and a variety of training organizations that will give students the skills, experience, and credentials needed to begin a successful career in renewable energy and sustainable technology.
Food, metro cards, and scholarship opportunities are provided free of cost for the 5-6 day training program participants. Metro cards and scholarship opportunities are provided free of cost for single day trainings program participants.
This program can be 1 day or 5 days long depending on the cohort and host site needs.
If you are interested in attending one of these training programs or hosting one of these training programs at your organization please fill out our interest form by clicking on the following link:
https://forms.gle/swxNYocpwrzM2Xtt9
____
Bridges to Offshore Wind
The CUNY Offshore Wind Advisory Network consists of Kingsborough Community College, LaGuardia Community College, College of Staten Island and New York City College of Technology. The Bridges to Offshore Wind (OSW) program has completed as of June 2026 and served over 2000 participants throughout NYC between 2023 and 2026 thanks to generous funding from the Ecosystem Fund.
Bridges to OSW was an interactive instructional seminar for people who are interested in learning about the region’s Offshore Wind industry. Building on each college’s existing capacities, Bridges to Offshore Wind focused on maritime, electrical, construction and manufacturing, assembly, and supply chain sub-sectors. This was an introductory workshop to get people interested in and excited about careers in offshore wind. What sets this apart from other bridge programs is that it informed people about the technical training available to them within the CUNY system AND provides the supportive services needed for individuals to succeed.
The program provided participants the opportunity to explore offshore wind career titles and pathways, as well as the education and training requirements to enter offshore wind careers. Students reviewed labor market information and employment projections and assessed their existing skillsets to evaluate how they align with careers in offshore wind. Students also learned about existing job training, certification, and degree programs that are available at the 4 CUNY schools and how these programs might help direct their career and educational trajectory.
Click on each school below to learn more about a wide variety of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology related trainings, programs, apprenticeships, and degrees being offered by each of the OWAN schools!
The only community college in Brooklyn as well as the only CUNY with a Maritime Technology department, KCC focuses is on maritime careers and the safety trainings necessary for the OSW industry. Includes partnership with the Seafarers International Union.
Geographic footprint is the Borough of Queens, but also stretches to neighborhoods of North Brooklyn, Upper Manhattan, and the Bronx
Is the only public institution of higher education in the borough of Staten Island, CSI is dedicated to helping its students fulfill their creative and educational aspirations through competitive and rigorous noncredit and credit programs.
NYS Welding Credential/License
CNC Machinist Training
Electrical Technician
Wind Turbine Training (WTT) Certificate
Renewable Energy Certifications (Power Distribution Courses)
Located in downtown Brooklyn, the geographic focus is Brooklyn’s northern neighborhoods including Gowanus, Red Hook, Fort Green, Sunset Park and Bedford Stuyvesant. Located close to a central transportation HUB (Atlantic Terminal) means that students from Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx can easily commute to.
More About the Ecosystem Fund
https://www.empirewind.com/ecosystem-fund/
Bridges to Offshore Wind Features in The News
https://edc.nyc/sites/default/files/2024-03/NYCEDC-Green-Economy-Action-Plan-03-22-2024.pdf
https://uptown-chats.castos.com/episodes/wind-energy
https://waterfrontalliance.org/2024/11/21/offshore-wind-needs-you/
Useful Links to Explore Wind Energy Careers, Trainings, and More