On-the-Job Training Program

1. The first step to participating in the program is to complete a business application form . Based on the information you provide, NYSERDA will determine if you are eligible for the program. You will need to provide a few pieces of information about your business including your Federal Employer Identification Number and a description of the role(s) you’re hoping to fill with the funding. If your business is eligible, your information will be shared with NYSDOL for a due diligence check.
2. Approved businesses work with their assigned NYSDOL Business Service Representative to prepare each New Hire Application. The New Hire Application includes a training plan specific to the new hire. Then, businesses submit New Hire Applications through the NYSERDA Portal.
   • Note: the program only accepts new employees. All new hire applications must be submitted to NYSERDA no later than 7 days after the new hire’s start date to be eligible for funding.
   • Businesses can bring their own new hire candidates to the program, or NYSDOL can assist with identifying qualified candidates.
   • Please provide your DOL Business Service Representative a 5 business day lead time to ensure successful completion of a hires training plan which can include intaking, phone calls, signatures, and requesting of documents or changes to the training plan.
   • Guidance on developing a Training Plan can be found in the Preparing an On-the-Job Training Plan resources document.
3. Upon approval of the application for a new hire, NYSERDA reserves funding for the position.
4. After the new hire starts working, the business submits reimbursement requests through an online portal to receive funds.

Guidance on the new hire application submission and invoicing processes can be found in the On-the-Job Training Business User Guides

Businesses must provide services in one or more the following technology areas to be eligible for program funding:

1. High efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
2. Renewable heating and cooling
3. High efficiency water heating
4. Insulation and/or air sealing
5. High efficiency lighting and controls
6. Building automation and controls
7. Smart grid
8. Energy storage
9. Building operations and maintenance
10. Solar electric photovoltaics, solar thermal, and related areas*
11. Offshore and Land-Base Wind and related areas*
12. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
13. Electric Vehicle (manufacturing only)

* Eligible businesses providing design, construction or operation and maintenance services on large-scale (5 MW or greater) wind or solar generation projects may be asked to provide documentation to demonstrate that they have a contract or direct subcontract on a generation project funded by NYSERDA/Clean Energy Standard.

If you have a question about the eligible technology areas, please contact PONOJT@nyserda.ny.gov.

Organizations who hired climate justice fellows through NYSERDA's PON 4772 can be approved through the OJT Program to hire those fellows at the conclusion of the fellowship term to extend their work on fellowship projects and initiatives.

NYSERDA encourages the hiring of individuals from disadvantaged communities and priority populations through OJT. NYSERDA will reimburse wages for new hires from disadvantaged communities and priority populations for 24 weeks (6 months). Traditional workers are reimbursed for 16 weeks (4 months).

For up-to-date definitions on priority population and disadvantaged communities please visit the Definitions page.

Note: Solar electric, solar thermal, or wind technologies companies and businesses with over 100 employees can only receive funding for the hiring of workers from priority populations or disadvantaged communities through the program, unless they are registered minority-owned, women-owned, and/or service-disabled veteran-owned businesses.

• Eligible businesses can get reimbursed up to 75% of a new hire’s wages for their first 16-24 weeks of employment.
• Program participants get assistance from the NYSDOL to develop training plans for new hires.
• All New York State businesses can access the New York State Department of Labor’s Virtual Career Center 
  • No cost to find or contact candidates.
  • Swift identification of qualified candidates for your openings.
  • Direct communication with potential hires through the Virtual Career Center Platform.

The following table summarizes the reimbursement available for various types of businesses/positions, business sizes, and categories of new workers.

Businesses will be required to provide a cost share for all wage subsidies. NYSERDA’s cost share is capped at a maximum of $24 per hour for each hire. For businesses with 100 employees or less, NYSERDA funding is capped at $150,000 per business for traditional workers. There is no maximum cap for any size firm for hiring priority populations or disadvantaged communities. For businesses with over 100 employees, incentives are only available to hire individuals from priority populations or disadvantaged communities.

Review the Program Summary for complete information on program processes and eligibility requirements.

To register as an eligible business, please head to the online Business Application and have the following information ready.

The application will ask:

• Business Name
• Business Address
• Website
• Business Electric Utility Service Provider
• Federal Employer Identification Number.
• Existing NYSERDA partnership agreements or contracts (if applicable)
• Business representative contact information
• Number of full-time W-2 employees
• Brief description of the general nature of the positions you plan to offer and how the new hire's jobs will relate to clean energy.

Following receipt of the Business Application, the NYSDOL will complete a due diligence review before NYSERDA approves eligible businesses. Participating businesses are contacted by a dedicated NYSDOL Business Service Representative to begin the hiring and new hire application process.

For guidance materials about applying to the program, review the information here: OJT Program: Business User Guides

Learn how the Clean Energy Internship Program compares with NYSERDA’s other hiring support programs:

Program Comparison Summary [PDF]

Review the program documents and contact PONOJT@nyserda.ny.gov with any questions.

How long will the due diligence review take? The due diligence review may take several days to complete. NYSERDA will notify you once the review is complete.

My business is in one of the eligible categories. Are there any specific jobs not eligible for the program? Yes, NYSERDA will not provide reimbursement for office management, administrative assistants, drivers, or similar positions.

How soon can I invoice? The business may begin invoicing NYSERDA for reimbursement after 4 weeks on the job. Businesses are only allowed to invoice once a month for each hire.