LI Works Coalition Launches Green Regional Industry Advisory Council

The Long Island Works Coalition (LI Works) and more than 30 government, education, green technology and energy industry leaders launched the Green Regional Industry Advisory Council (RIAC) this morning during a special event at the LIA headquarters in Melville.

Career Academies are an innovative educational method tied to real careers and real companies on Long Island ensuring Long Island has a skilled and educated workforce. The Green RIAC partnership of business, higher education, and community representatives will provide industry-specific support for Green Career Academy Programs.

Council Chair Robert Catell, former chairman of National Grid US and chairman of the Advanced Energy Research & Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University and the NYS Smart Grid Consortium, provided opening remarks: “Our economic future depends on our future workforce and our investment must be in the raw talent of our students, the future leaders, to pursue growth careers here on Long Island, Catell said. “This exciting initiative is part of a national program that will change the way education is delivered in high schools and higher education. If we succeed, and we must, the result will be higher student motivation, more targeted business involvement, and a greater connection between the economic drivers of our region and the talent that we are educating here,” he continued.

LI Works Executive Director Cheryl Davidson agrees, “By collaborating with Long Island’s business, education, and government entities, LI Works has launched 11 Career Academies – including three Green Academies. The on-going exchange of information between educators and industry is key to the success of the program.”

Participants in this national trend include the Gulf Power Academy in Florida whose video-taped comments were included in the presentation. With a focus on ROI, the energy company representative cited less recruitment, less turnover, and increased access to a qualified and diverse mix of candidates as primary benefits.  The direct access also provides a great opportunity to engage the region’s future workforce.

Coordinator of the Environmental Green Career Academy in the East Islip School District Israel Malinowitzer states the academy’s goal is for students to pursue higher education degrees in green industries and to mentor future students.  “The program is in its second year and is comprised of 58 seniors all learning about the green environment in all their academic courses including technology and business economics,” Malinowitzer said.

For more information on Career Academies and participating in Regional Industry Advisory Councils, contact Lisa Strahs-Lorenc at LI Works: Lisa@liworks.org or call 631.390.1400.

The Long Island Works Coalition is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 that prepares today's students for tomorrow's workforce and is a Division of Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey. Created in 1999 by LIA President Matthew T. Crosson, the Long Island Works Coalition builds collaborative relationships among employers, workers, and the educational community (kindergarten through college).  It is an inclusive organization helping to prepare students and graduates for full participation in the economic and social fabric of the region.

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