Be the change.
Green Careers for All
The Green Economy Network (GEN) connects jobseekers with organizations offering training, education, hiring support, and other services to help you build a career in the green economy. Green jobs go beyond solar panels and wind turbines—most are in energy efficiency, like HVAC and insulation, but also include trades, tech, gardening, and more.
Training and certifications are key. They prepare you for the technical and safety demands of green work, show employers you’re ready, and open doors to advancement.
GEN also helps identify what employers need, turning those insights into advocacy and opportunities for jobseekers like you.
See what training and certification looks like in practice below.
GEN Members offer the following credentials (and more!):
Find the right training for you
Use the map below to find trainings near you.
Discover Trainings by Sector
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This includes jobs that help create and maintain clean energy sources like solar, wind, and water power.
LaGuardia Community College
Kingsborough Community College
City Tech
College of Staten Island
Free Solar PV Installation Training
Must be referred into this program by:
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These are jobs that keep buildings running efficiently — making sure heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment use less energy and cost less money.
Bronx and Brooklyn
North Brooklyn
Stacks + Joules
Building Automation
Great option for those with prior experience!
In collaboration with CUNY Building Performance Lab
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This covers work that keeps outdoor and indoor spaces clean, healthy, and green — including landscaping, tree care, and managing parks or gardens.
The HORT
Urban Greening and Horticulture
Green City Force
Urban Farming
The HOPE Program
Horticulture
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These are hands-on jobs in construction that use sustainable materials, energy-saving methods, and safer building practices.
Cypress Hills Local Development Corp
Solar One*
Rebuilding Together New York
St. Nicks Alliance
*Training Partner for multiple programs
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This involves cleaning up pollution, managing trash and recycling, and keeping air, soil, and water safe.
St. Nicks Alliance
Environmental Remediation
Not sure where to start? We’ll help you.
What does the Green Economy actually look like in the job market?
Renewable Energy
Example Roles / Titles:
Entry-Level Solar Installer
Offshore Wind Technician / Trades
Energy Auditor
Wind Turbine Technician
Electrical / Mechanical Technicians supporting renewable projects
Key Skills / Certifications:
GWO BST, BOSIET, NABCEP PV Associate, OSHA, basic electrical/mechanical skills, heights and safety training.
Construction and Trades
Example Roles / Titles:
EConstruction Worker (entry-level)
General Labor / Field Technician
Skilled trades assisting renewable or building projects (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)
Building Retrofit Installer / Crew Member
Key Skills / Certifications:
OSHA 10/30, Site Safety Training (SST) Worker Card, fall prevention, scaffolding, rigging, basic construction skills, teamwork and reliability.
Horticulture & Urban Greening
Example Roles / Titles:
City Park Worker
Gardener / Assistant Gardener
Greenhouse / Nursery Worker
Horticulture Technician
Urban Farm / Urban Agriculture Specialist
Arborist / Tree Crew
Key Skills / Certifications:
Plant care and propagation, pesticide or chemical safety certification, basic landscaping, native plant knowledge, teamwork, sometimes basic tech or record-keeping skills.
Building Operations and Energy Efficiency
Example Roles / Titles:
Entry-Level Building Operator
HVAC Technician (clean energy / retrofits)
Energy Auditor
Facilities Technician
Building Automation/Controls Technician
Green Building / Retrofits Crew
Key Skills / Certifications:
BOC, NYC Building Operator Training, OSHA, basic HVAC, mechanical/electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, basic computer / building management system skills. Python/coding skills needed for automation
Environmental Remediation & Waste Management
Example Roles / Titles:
Environmental Technician
Hazardous Materials Worker / HazMat Technician
Soil / Groundwater Sampling Technician
Remediation Field Crew Member
Waste Management Technician
Key Skills / Certifications:
HAZWOPER, OSHA, Lead/Asbestos/Mold certifications, field sampling, basic chemistry/biology understanding, teamwork, safety compliance.
By the numbers:
3.2 million green jobs in the U.S., nearly 70% in energy efficiency (HVAC, insulation, retrofits).
60–80% of entry-level roles require some form of training or certification.
$18–$35/hr typical starting pay for entry-level technicians in energy efficiency, building operations, and renewable energy.
90+% of green jobs involve teamwork, hands-on work, or technical problem solving.
What else should I know?
The Green Economy is a great place to make real impact on New York City. But there’s some things you should know!
A lot of jobs are physical in nature. This can involve heights, being outdoors, and sometimes lifting heavy objects.
You’ll need to know some basic tech—think data entry into an Excel sheet, how to send a concise email, and if you really love techie roles, check out building science!
No job is too small. Every job in the green economy is contributing to the transition to a cleaner, greener future for our families and generations to come.