§ 1897. Training services. 1. The authority, in consultation with the department of labor, shall enter into contracts with constituency-based organizations, workforce development organizations, labor organizations, and other training-related organizations, for the purpose of supporting the "green jobs-green New York program" with employment and training services. Such contracts shall provide for (a) training of individuals to participate in outreach and marketing activities, perform energy audits and provide qualified energy efficiency services and (b) provision of job placement services to such individuals. To the extent permitted by statute, regulation or federal grant a preference shall be given for training and placement of women, minorities, low-income individuals and populations with barriers to employment. 2. Training services authorized pursuant to this subdivision shall include, as appropriate, but not be limited to:(a) incremental occupational training to unemployed workers with good work histories;
(b) work-readiness and entry-level technical training to individuals with weak work histories;
(c) apprenticeship qualifying, apprenticeship and labor-management certification training;
(d) training that is designed to lead to certification in energy auditing and energy performance contracting;
(e) skills upgrading for incumbent workers, including workers performing weatherization activities under division of housing and community renewal programs;
(f) work support, where appropriate and to the extent that funding is available, to individuals who obtain employment through the "green jobs-green New York program" created by this title, to assist such individuals to retain employment and continue to upgrade their skills. 3. For quality assurance purposes, organizations providing training services pursuant to this section shall possess certifications and accreditations deemed appropriate by the authority, in consultation with the department of labor. 4. The authority, in cooperation with the department of labor, shall facilitate coordination between constituency-based organizations, workforce development organizations, labor organizations and auditing and energy performance services contractors to provide job opportunities for individuals participating in training programs and receiving placement services pursuant to this section. 5. The authority, in cooperation with the department of labor, shall:
(a) encourage local workforce investment boards created pursuant to the federal workforce investment act of 1998 (Public Laws 105-220) to make available training and job placement services authorized pursuant to this subdivision within each local workforce investment area:
(b) access training services available through the department of labor; and
(c) apply for available federal funding for appropriate training services pursuant to the provisions of the american recovery and reinvestment act of 2009 (Public Laws 111-5) and any other applicable federal law. 6. The department of labor shall coordinate with the authority in implementing this section. 7. The authority shall prescribe conditions for training that will include identifiable standards for all education and training activities authorized under this section, and will designate a certificate to be issued to any trainee that successfully meets such standards and completes the required education and training.
