FutureReady: How the Institute for Workforce Advancement Is Building New York’s Next Generation Workforce

The race to equip New York’s workforce for the industries of tomorrow is on—and the Institute for Workforce Advancement (IWA) is stepping to the front of the pack. With its FutureReady Workforce Training Program, IWA is targeting three of the fastest-growing sectors in the state: renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and drone aviation.

Funded by the New York Power Authority in partnership with LocalContent.com, FutureReady is designed to ensure that the economic benefits of these booming industries flow directly to New Yorkers through local hiring, small business engagement, and domestic content compliance.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Renewable energy is expected to generate more than $500 million in regional economic activity, fueling demand for solar technicians, energy auditors, and infrastructure specialists. Advanced manufacturing is projected to create over 3,000 jobs on Long Island by 2030, with opportunities in composites, robotics, and automation. Drone aviation is expanding at a rate of 15% annually, creating roles in surveying, environmental monitoring, and inspection services. State labor projections show that clean energy and advanced manufacturing alone will account for over 20% of new skilled jobs in New York by 2030.

FutureReady participants gain 40 hours of immersive, hands-on training across clean energy, drone technology, and advanced manufacturing. The program delivers expert-led instruction paired with real-world simulations, internship and apprenticeship pathways with vetted regional employers, a $400 completion stipend to offset participation costs, and long-term job placement support through an expanding employer network.

The program prioritizes New York City– and Long Island–based small businesses and job seekers, ensuring that public investment strengthens the state’s business ecosystem while creating direct pathways to employment for local residents.

By combining industry-relevant technical training with a commitment to local economic impact, the IWA FutureReady Program is more than a skills initiative—it’s a policy-aligned economic engine. Integrating local and domestic content requirements means that not only are participants prepared for high-demand roles, but the contracts, supply chains, and economic multipliers remain rooted in New York communities.

From Long Island’s advanced manufacturing hubs to New York City’s clean energy corridors, FutureReady is positioning participants to thrive in sectors that will define the state’s competitiveness for decades to come. For enrollment details and program information, visit [Institute for Workforce Advancement’s website] and take the first step toward becoming part of New York’s future-ready workforce.

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