Offshore Wind Training Program
KCC Receives $1.5M In Funding For Offshore Wind Training Program
KCC Receives $1.5M In Funding For Offshore Wind Training Program
Kingsborough Community College’s (KCC) Maritime Technology program is on its way to becoming a certified offshore wind (OSW) basic safety training facility, with $1.5 million in capital funding awarded by the New York City Council. And, because New York State allocates matching funds for capital appropriations provided by the city to CUNY community colleges, KCC is expected to receive another $1.5 million in the state’s next fiscal budget, bringing the total to $3 million.
The Office of NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson awarded KCC’s Division of Workforce Development, Continuing Education & Strategic Partnerships the funding for purchase of necessary equipment to become a Global Wind Organization (GWO) certified Basic Safety Training (BST) facility that can respond to the workforce demands and the long-term needs of the projected OSW industry.
Many OSW companies mandate GWO-certified baseline safety training for their employees. The awarded funding will establish KCC, Brooklyn’s only community college, as the first institution in New York State to be a certified GWO training provider.
Familiar with KCC’s maritime technology programs, NYS Assemblywoman Jaime R. Williams, 59th Assembly District, Brooklyn, spearheaded the push to get city and state leaders to support the innovative conception of an OSW training facility at KCC.
“The need for clean energy is more important than ever. With initiatives promoted by our great State and the City of New York, the use of turbines only a few miles offshore will have a drastic and positive impact on our growing energy needs, while helping foster new jobs for Kingsborough Community College students and bolster our infrastructure. The turbines, once in place, will assist with New York State’s clean energy targets as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) and help further achieve New York City’s goal and commitment to reduce citywide emissions—a win for all involved!” said Assemblywoman Williams.
KCC President Dr. Claudia V. Schrader said the College is grateful for the funds. “Our location makes us uniquely positioned to be an integral partner in the OSW sector, and the funding will enable us to serve more under and unemployed students preparing for careers within the OSW industry. Thank you to Assemblywoman Williams for her support and Council Speaker Johnson for investing in CUNY/KCC.
Dr. Simone Rodriguez, vice president of KCC’s Workforce Development, Continuing Education & Strategic Partnerships, added, “Thank you, Assemblywoman Williams and Council Speaker Johnson, for supporting KCC in this effort. We are excited to start getting everything in place for the new BST facility to be operational.”
GWO BST provides students with fundamental work skills, including fire awareness, first aid, working at heights, and manual handling. “Currently, KCC offers four of the five needed trainings of GWO. This funding will help support the addition of the climbing-at-heights component, which may be in place as early as fall 2022,” said Christine Zagari-LoPorto, interim assistant dean of KCC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education.
To enable students to work in the offshore environment an additional GWO Sea Survival training is to be completed, which KCC has in place. Upon completing the GWO BST, students will be aware of the hazards encountered when working within the wind industry and how to control and mitigate these hazards. The BST will also equip participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to appropriately respond in the event of an emergency and to increase their safety through proper use of personal protective equipment, emergency equipment and procedures.
“John Nappo, who is a seasoned captain of 20 years and on the maritime technology faculty will be instrumental in the implementation of this project, and will guide us every step of the way,” said Zagari-LoPorto.