Bronx Community College (BCC) strengthened and advanced the partnership with Soulful Synergy this summer, providing a free nine-week training program to connect individuals with career opportunities in the expanding clean energy and offshore wind industries. The collaboration was originally established by Elena Perez, Director of the Green Action Challenge Grant, alongside Madelaine Centeno, Director of Continuing Education, and Anushka Gopilall, Program Manager at Soulful Synergy. 

For the second consecutive year, the hands-on program brought participants to BCC four days a week to develop skills in a range of construction and clean energy fields, including electrical work, carpentry, plumbing, plastering and wind turbine technology. Along with technical training, participants earned industry-recognized certifications and received career coaching, job placement assistance and a stipend upon completion. 

The latest cohort brought together people with diverse professional backgrounds, from those new to the skilled trades to professionals with experience in engineering and sustainability. For Emil Mandari, who recently earned a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, the multidisciplinary nature of the training was particularly valuable. 

“This program has been very comprehensive in terms of both theory and execution,” Mandari said, noting the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with electrical systems and wind turbines as well as other construction trades. 

Another participant, who has a background in civil and environmental engineering, said the training provided practical experience that traditional engineering education does not always offer. “It’s one thing to learn in a classroom,” she said. “We’re actually doing hands-on electrical connections, welding and learning how to assemble the electrical components needed to operate a wind turbine.” 

The cohort also benefited from instructors with professional experience as master electricians, plumbers, welders and wind turbine technicians. A site visit to Brooklyn’s WindHub provided an additional opportunity to learn about career pathways in onshore and offshore wind and hear directly from professionals in the field. 

Hosting Soulful Synergy’s offshore wind construction training program, funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), reflects BCC’s commitment to expanding workforce and community partnerships that connect New Yorkers with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in emerging industries.