SUNY Canton: Leading the North Country in Clean Energy Workforce Development

It’s been an exciting year at SUNY Canton with the continued expansion of the Center for Workforce, Community, and Industry Partnerships (WCIP). WCIP is a partner organization under the North Country Clean Energy Hub. In addition to technical certifications and degree programs for enrolled students, the Center has set its sights on offering more programs for continued education, workforce development, youth engagement, and network connections for all residents of North Country communities interested in growing a clean energy workforce. These programs are accessible to North Country residents of all ages and with the help of several grants, donations, and financial aid organizations, aim to remove the economic barriers that keep education out of reach.

CLEAN ENERGY MICROCREDENTIALS

The Center has also focused on offering microcredential workforce training for in demand skills. Microcredentials are courses designed to be completed in months, not years. It can be a great way to show current and future employers that you have mastered a specific subject or gained a valuable skill. Even though these courses are much quicker than traditional college courses, they are still considered academic credentials and recorded on official transcripts. As the world works harder to embrace sustainability in fields like manufacturing, construction, automotive, and more, training is needed for those in the workforce to stay ahead of the curve. The Sustainability Series offered training and certifications for safe refrigerant handling for heat pump installers (EPA 608), Solar, Electric Vehicle (EV) Maintenance, and Heat Pumps. Each training offered a mix of classroom and hands-on instruction.

The solar training course introduced students to photovoltaic systems through hands-on training. Students learned how to measure electricity, understand the safety of high voltage direct current to alternating current, and how shading, open, and short circuits affect panel performance. By the end of the course, students created a mock site plan for solar panels on their own home roofs!

The electric vehicle (EV) maintenance course was a two-day training for mechanics on EV technology and safety during service repairs. The course prepared mechanics on EV facility preparation, required tooling, personal protective equipment, and emergency response with the goal of preparing participants for implementing EV service, repair, and diagnosis in the workplace. The course concludes with a 20-question exam resulting in a certificate of completion to show employers. This past year, the course was extremely successful and participants wished it was longer. One student wrote that “it was a great learning experience and probably saved my life working on electric vehicles because I have no experience.” Due to the popularity of this specific course, it was offered 3 times with attendees from across the state!

The heat pumps course focused on the inner workings of air source heat pumps. The course delved into the fundamentals of refrigeration, empowering participants to size heat pump components confidently through meticulous building load analysis. It also provides students with invaluable insights into the intricate mechanisms of inverters and indoor cassettes. This course addresses the need for an ever-evolving technology field, helping professionals stay ahead and advance in their fields.

For people looking to obtain knowledge in a very short time period, the Micro Course Monday series featured several sessions focused on unique aspects of sustainability, from how drones can be used for nature conservation to energy efficient and renewable building practices. Our commitment is to foster the next generation of an eco-conscious workforce. In addition to any certification for the specific training, all participants also received the Microcredential certificate for completing the course. With almost 100 participants in the various courses, the Center plans to offer even more training sessions in 2025.

2025 COURSES

As we begin 2025, The North Country Clean Energy Hub and SUNY Canton WCIP have big plans for serving even more of the North Country community. The CDL program, Microcredential trainings, and Summer Camps will continue to grow. The Micro Course Monday series, which offers free, online and in-person introductory trainings on a variety of topics, will continue to partner with local experts and offer more sessions open to the public, focusing on sustainability, AI literacy, and work readiness skills. In response to the popularity of the for-credit course on Drones, the Center will offer a non-credit option to non-SUNY students looking to earn their FAA Remote Pilot license. In addition to its other youth programs, the Center will host SUNY’s first ever MASH (Medical Academy of Science & Health) Camp for 9th & 10th graders interested in exploring a career in the medical field.

The Center’s CDL program received an amazing donation from the Garrett Family Fund for a new truck and trailer, offering increased accessibility for students to learn on either a manual or automatic vehicle. One participant, O’dourghty “Odie” Cunningham, a recipient of a Cornell Cooperative Extension grant, another partner organization of the North Country Clean Energy Hub, credits the CDL program at SUNY Canton for helping him operate upgraded equipment on his family’s farm and said “the program works with people who have a full-time job and other responsibilities. It’s very flexible and efficient for anyone who wants to acquire their CDL license.” Odie is just one of 35 CDL program participants this year, and classes for 2025 have already begun to fill up! As New York continues to accelerate fuel cell-electric and hydrogen bus and truck infrastructure, the CDL program will evolve to fit these clean energy workforce needs.

CAREER CHANGE SUPPORT & CAREER INTRODUCTION

For participants looking to start the journey towards a new career, the Center worked with local employers to offer Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities. In Fall 2024, the Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship offered an 8-week training course for participants where they completed OSHA-10 certification, a Low Voltage Safety Training, earned a Microcredential in Essential Skills for the Workplace, and networked with representatives from local industry to learn more about full apprenticeship opportunities in the manufacturing field here in the North Country. These skills offer an opportunity for students to learn essential skills in the clean energy field while also exploring different career paths through networking opportunities where these skills can be implemented. Most apprenticeship programs have direct job or internship placement with the local organizations involved–making this highly accessible way to transition/start a career. The Center is committed to connecting the community with the education they need to thrive and build a strong workforce in the North Country!

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Even with all these amazing opportunities for continued education and workforce development, the Center also knows that the best way to ensure lifelong learning is to encourage curiosity and passion from an early age. The Center’s 2024 Summer Camps offered grades 1st – 12th the chance to explore mechanical and technical engineering, science, crime scene investigation, sustainability, creative writing, and digital art. The 2025 Summer Camp line-up will offer even more opportunities by adding sessions for building & construction, technology & coding, emergency response, drone piloting, art, and musical theater. Additionally, a partnership with St. Lawrence County High Schools offers local teens the chance to earn college credit for their high school classes as part of the Center’s Dual Enrollment program. With almost 20 participating schools, the program continues to grow encouraging high schoolers to explore the educational opportunities available to them after graduation.

Overall, these efforts support the interest, growth, and stability for a clean energy workforce, which, in turn, make clean energy programs and incentives more accessible to North Country residents and businesses. While the needs of a community are constantly evolving, SUNY Canton’s WCIP and the North Country Clean Energy Hub will continue to work hard and evolve with it.

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The North Country Clean Energy Hub is a team of organizations working to support people and businesses in adopting clean energy technology, utilizing energy efficiency programs, and finding jobs in the clean energy industry. These initiatives can save money, make homes healthier, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. We serve 7 counties in the North Country (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Lewis) and offer no-cost, one-on-one advising for individualized support about your energy questions and needs.

To learn more about the opportunities being offered at SUNY Canton WCIP, please visit our Events page.

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