Gwendolyn Summers, State Government, New York
Gwendolyn Summers, who has been in the industry for 4 years, is the Senior Project Manager of Workforce Development & Training at NYSERDA.
Why is clean energy important to you? Clean energy is key to mitigating global warming and addressing our climate crisis. It is critical both for human health and for the environment and can serve as a powerful force in promoting energy equity and climate justice for historically marginalized communities.
What's a memorable clean energy project you’ve worked on? In 2021, NYSERDA was awarded up to $8.1 million in funding under the Social Impacts Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (SIPPRA) to prepare members of disadvantaged communities to meaningful careers in clean energy. Funding for the project, also known as “Pay for Success Clean Energy Training,” will be awarded based on our results, with up to $7.1 million when our jobs training program increases participants’ wages, and an additional $1.1 million for the costs of independently evaluating the project. Together with our partners, Social Finance and MDRC, I've had the pleasure of working on this project, serving several hundred low-wage workers, youth ages 18 to 24, and individuals facing long-term unemployment.
What did you do prior to working in clean energy? Why did you transition to the clean energy industry? Prior to working in clean energy, I served in various roles in government affairs, ethics and compliance, and workforce development in the semiconductor and automotive industries. Before that, I served as legislative aide and policy analyst for the New York State Senate. I transitioned to the clean energy industry during COVID when a job with an energy and environmental consulting firm serving NYSERDA as a client became available.
What do you wish more people knew about the clean energy industry? The clean energy industry is home to thousands of high-quality, family sustaining jobs, promising a pathway to a rewarding career. In New York State alone, total employment in the clean energy sector is expected to increase by more than 60%, adding at least 211,000 jobs by 2030.
Why should congress invest in clean energy jobs? Clean energy jobs are the key to mitigating the climate crisis, promoting human health and a safe environment. They are key to economic prosperity and they also hold great promise in reversing centuries of systemic injustice borne by individuals from disadvantaged communities. Equally important is equity-focused investment in workforce development to ensure that new and existing workers have the qualifications and skills required to meet business demand.
