Designing and Implementing a Workforce Development Program for Improved Energy Performance

JLL and NYSERDA collaborated to secure a grant in 2023 to establish a workforce development initiative for an industrial site in a disadvantaged community. With over 50 buildings, 3+ million square feet, and significant laboratory and data center loads, the site’s owner, has set ambitious decarbonization targets. JLL’s Sustainable Operations team partnered with the site’s engineering and operations team, learning and development specialists, and global engineering reliability experts to coordinate and design the program. The program began implementation in early 2024 and will take two years to complete.

The comprehensive training program covers sustainability fundamentals and specialized topics such as mechanical system control strategies, steam trap maintenance, steam-to-hot water conversion methods, building electrification benefits, related equipment examples, compressed air leak detection, and data center cooling techniques. The program targets key personnel including chief engineers, control engineers, facility managers, high voltage engineers, mechanics, operating engineers, and engineering directors stationed at the site.

During the conference presentation, the speaker will provide an overview of the program’s design, insights on implementation, success metrics, and plans for scaling the initiative to other JLL-managed campuses. The goal is to share valuable lessons learned and contribute to broader sustainable workforce development in the industry.