Sofia Oliveira-Ritchie (Andromeda Community Initiative) on green construction training

Good afternoon, chairs and members of the committee.

My name is Sofia Oliveira-Ritchie, and I'm the Director of Development and Communications for the Andromeda Community Initiative, also known as ACI.

We're a nonprofit workforce development organization that provides free construction and green construction training to New Yorkers facing barriers to employment.

Since our founding, ACI has trained more than 1,200 individuals for careers in the construction industry.

This includes folks returning home from incarceration, experiencing homelessness, navigating long-term unemployment and underemployment, and living in chronic poverty.

Through industry-recognized certs, hands-on training, and comprehensive workforce development services, we help participants access family-sustaining careers and long-term economic mobility.

I'm here today to highlight the critical role workforce development organizations play as New York City advances its energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate goals.

The demand for skilled workers who can support building retrofits, energy-efficient construction, electrification projects, and climate-focused infrastructure continues to grow.

Through ACI's green training, developed with industry partners and aligned with emerging workforce needs, we are preparing New Yorkers for certs, technical knowledge, and workplace readiness needed to enter these growing sectors sustainably.

However, training alone is not enough.

Workforce providers need stronger connections to employers, developers, labor partners, and public sector projects to ensure that graduates can transition successfully.

ACI currently has job-ready graduates who are eager to contribute to New York City's energy future, yet intentional hiring pathways are needed to connect trained workers to available opportunities.

We encourage the city not only to continue investing in workforce development, but also to expand dedicated funding for green construction and workforce training programs.

We are already building the talent pipeline needed to support the objectives, but greater investment is needed to meet the scale of demand.

We encourage the city to continue collecting, publishing, and sharing current labor information relevant to the green economy, including projections, anticipated hiring needs, wage data, and emerging industry trends.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify.

Thank you very much.

Next up, Travis Prolix.

Mikayla Crater and Stephen Levin from District 4.

If anyone else is planning on testifying, please let the Sergeant at Arms know.

Thank you.