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Pending the state's approval, the county will establish a contract with SolarCity as part of the New York On the Job Training program (OJT), which could reimburse the company for at least half of the $160,000 spent on hiring and training 40 employees over the next few weeks. The program allows businesses to receive a 50 to 90 percent subsidy for up to six months for hiring and training new full-time employees.
Ed Steins, SolarCity's Northeast regional vice president, said the program is a win-win for both the company and local residents looking for a career in solar installation.
"SolarCity has always invested in local economic development by investing in training and recruiting veterans and unemployed workers," said Steins, adding that SolarCity hopes to hire 40 new solar installers. "The OJT program is a new way for us to connect with qualified job seekers and ensure that we can fully prepare them for their new responsibilities."
The rate of reimbursement is based on the size of the business, using funds from a $6.4 million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Both Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and county Economic Development Director Larry Gottlieb are encouraging other businesses to submit their applications to the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board.
"By helping out local businesses in this way, we get a double benefit," Gottlieb said in a news release. "People are employed and trained, and the businesses can use the money to help grow."
SolarCity is relatively new to the Elmsford area, expanding east from its California headquarters last year. It began hiring local employees in early October at its Elmsford location, 203 Ridgewood Drive.
For more information or to enter your business into the program, visit WestchesterPutnamOneStop.com.
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