WPTI invites workforce development programs to apply to participate in the inaugural cohort of our no-cost Green Jobs Learning Lab, a brand-new initiative designed to help organizations better understand the green economy, opportunities related to green jobs across multiple subsectors, and ways to plug into this exciting new space.
Climate change is a reality impacting communities across the globe, including New York City. Climate and economic justice are deeply intertwined, as those communities hit hardest by the impact of climate change are often those facing the greatest economic challenges, namely low-income communities and communities of color. In response to the realities of climate change, numerous new industries have emerged, while other industries have begun to develop strategies to become cleaner, greener, and more sustainable and resilient. This includes the rise of renewable energy strategies, such as solar and wind power, as well as building decarbonization, clean tech, and more. Ancillary industries have emerged as well, such as business and finance strategies focused on green procurement and navigating tax incentives around clean energy.
We, as a workforce development system, have a tremendous opportunity to ensure that the people we serve have real access to emerging, high-quality occupations, across this emerging Green Economy, and that they are able to benefit from opportunities focused on remediating issues of climate justice in their own neighborhoods.
In response, WPTI is proud to launch the Green Jobs Learning Lab, a four-week (four half-day sessions), in-person, cohort-based initiative focused on providing organizational teams with the fundamental knowledge they need to make informed decisions regarding whether to pursue new opportunities in the green economy, and if so, what opportunities and at what level of intensity.
This no-cost four-week,16-hour learning lab will focus on:
Defining green jobs and the green economy
Identifying and exploring career pathways within the green economy
Designing effective “best-fit” green jobs initiatives for your organization ranging from referral partners to full training programs
Engaging employers in the green economy
Building effective partnerships
Wraparound services, equity, and job quality
These sessions will take place in-person and include:
Interactive, discussion-based sessions focused on exploring key issues at the intersection of workforce development and climate justice
Group work (both within organizational teams and across multiple organizations) to deepen understanding
Action planning to support organizational decisionmaking and strategy development
Following completion of the course, WPTI will provide group coaching and check-in sessions to support progress.
Our Audience
WPTI's Green Jobs Learning Lab is designed for organizational teams of 2–3 people, in program roles, and who can influence organizational decision making with regard to deepening involvement in the green economy. An ideal team would include at least one person at a Program Director level or above, along with an individual at a frontline level or above.
Note: all participants must receive approval from their supervisor to participate in the learning lab, and attendance at all four sessions is required.
Our Schedule
The program will be offered over the course of four (4) four-hour sessions, each occurring in-person on a Friday. The dates and times are as follows:
Session 1: Thursday, January 29, 2026 – 10 am–2 pm ET
Session 2: Thursday, February 5, 2026 –10 am–2 pm ET
Session 3: Thursday, February 12, 2026 – 10 am–2 pm ET
Session 4: Thursday, February 19 – 10 am–2 pm ET
All sessions will take place in person, with a specific location to be named as the cohort approaches.
Additional Elements and Ongoing Support
Following our four-week course, participants will have access to monthly (virtual) group coaching sessions, to support progress, including problem-solving opportunities and shared resources.
Application Instructions
The Program Director (or other senior member of the team applying) should complete this application. Please submit only one application per organization. Please note: this is a competitive process.
If you have any questions about the application or eligibility, contact Justin Collins, Senior Director of Programs, at jcollins@wpti.org.
Applications are due Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5pm ET. WPTI will notify organizations accepted to the program or placed on the wait list by Wednesday, January 21, 2026. At that point, all participating organizations, including staff and their direct supervisors will be required to submit a commitment form by Monday, January 26, 2026.