Success Stories

Photovoltaic Training
Journey-level electricians from IBEW 910 in Plattsburgh and Watertown attended 40 hours of WDI-funded classes culminating in a NABCEP entry-level installer certification. The demand for this training is on the incline due to green initiatives.

Outcome: 25 journey level workers have gone through the program.

OSHA
WDI has put on eight OSHA 10 construction training sessions for over 140 union members. WDI has also funded OSHA 30 for construction and scaffolding training for the trades.
Outcome: Over 140 union members have received this necessary training.

Life Support & CPR
WDI funded this program for 21 mixed union members.

Corning Plant
In 2009, the Corning plant in Canton had a series of salary and hourly layoffs and the workforce dropped from 140 to 75. When another plant was being closed in Danville, VA, the United Steel Workers local union lobbied hard to get the work brought to Canton. WDI was brought in and asked to assist in training. The new product being produced, Polarcor, at the Canton plant provides much needed profitability and lead to 3-4 jobs being retained that would have otherwise been reduced. An additional product, Radomes, was relocated to the Canton plant and generated an additional 10 jobs.
Outcome: By being involved in the conversation, WDI has helped bring or retain as many as 15 jobs to the Canton plant.

Youth Summit Green Jobs Panel
In 2010, WDI funded a special panel at The Wild Center Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, "The Development of Green Career Paths in a Rural Economy and Beyond." The goal of the panel was to discuss the prospect of green jobs as young people weigh their future careers with their pro-environment perspectives.