Western New York – – October 11, 2026 -- National Grid has committed $2 million over five years to Northland Workforce Training Center, funding a new Clean Tech Lab and Experience Center that held its formal ribbon cutting on Sept. 25.
National Grid's 2025 grant targets electrical construction and clean energy students
The money, pledged in 2025, supports students pursuing careers in electrical construction and clean energy. It is distributed over five years and flows through National Grid's Sustainability organization, where the Social Impact and Community Engagement team invests in nonprofits across the utility's service area.
Northland's smart facility will host the Clean Energy program
The new center will teach Northland's Clean Energy program in a smart facility featuring renewable energy technology, sustainable building systems and smart controls. Northland trains western New Yorkers for careers in advanced manufacturing, automotive, HVAC and clean energy, with the aim of closing the skills gap in the local labor pool.
Earlier National Grid funding covered literacy, transport and an electric lab upgrade
National Grid's economic development programs have also assisted Northland's literacy and numeracy training and helped buy a van for student transportation. Company funding was used to upgrade Northland's electric lab as well, according to Northland President and CEO Stephen Tucker.
National Grid has partnered with Northland since the center's founding in 2018. At its annual awards dinner on Sept. 25, Northland gave the company its 2026 President's Award for ongoing support of workforce development.
Robert Simmons, Vice President, US Social Impact and Community Engagement at National Grid, said the lab will give students a higher level of interaction and practical experience, in line with the company's goal of developing the local workforce.