Following a successful pilot at Farmingdale State College, The State University of New York and National Grid announced a partnership to train the next generation of clean energy employees. Joining the first class of Farmingdale graduates, all of whom now work at National Grid, SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and National Grid President of New York Ken Daly said the program will be replicated at SUNY colleges and universities throughout the state, beginning with Hudson Valley Community College in Spring 2017.
“The results at Farmingdale State College are extremely encouraging, as every student left with a certificate in one hand and a job in the other,” said Zimpher. “Having completed a combination of academic instruction and on-the-job training, these students are well on their way to enjoying a successful career at New York’s premier energy company. We look forward to bringing this program to more SUNY students on more SUNY campuses as part of our continuing partnership with National Grid.”
The program—a Natural Gas Technician Certificate—is the first of its kind in the energy industry, and was co-created by Farmingdale State College and National Grid to address advances in the energy industry and a projected increase in retirement-eligible workers at certain National Grid locations.
“We’re very proud of this one-of-a-kind program and our partnership with SUNY and Farmingdale State College,” said Daly. “Bringing these students on board helps National Grid, the natural gas industry, and the Long Island economy. We look forward to the graduates providing the foundation for a safer, more reliable natural gas network that continues to grow.”
Zimpher and Daly signed a Memorandum of Understanding to offer the program throughout SUNY and to explore additional opportunities to support the delivery of clean, affordable energy.
“The partnership between Farmingdale State College and National Grid is exactly the kind of relationship higher education and industry must forge—for the benefit of students, the industries that drive our economy, our academic institutions, and the communities in which we live,” said Farmingdale State College President John Nader. “This is a model that is already paying dividends, with these students now in well-paying jobs and National Grid enjoying an influx of highly motivated, expertly trained employees. This pairing of intensive classroom preparation and hands-on experience is a perfect representation of the value of applied learning that SUNY has made one of its top initiatives.”
—Submitted by National Grid
