Dear Friends and Supporters of Soulful Synergy
2025 marked a defining chapter in Soulful Synergy’s growth, not just in the number of people we trained, but in the depth, scale, and credibility of the systems we built.
This year, we successfully completed multiple flagship workforce initiatives, launched new statewide and regional partnerships, and continued our expansion into offshore wind, EV infrastructure, solar, and public-sector electrification — positioning Soulful Synergy as a trusted workforce partner across New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Iowa, and beyond.
What began as community-rooted training programs has evolved into a multi-sector workforce platform delivering real credentials, real access, and real economic opportunity.
1,930 New Yorkers and New Jersey residents trained across clean energy, construction, electrification, offshore wind, digital skills, and youth workforce pathways — the largest single-year training footprint in Soulful Synergy’s history.
Thank you for believing in our mission and standing with us as we build a future rooted in equity, skills, and real opportunity. We’re excited for what’s ahead and honored to continue this work alongside you.
This year was defined not only by growth, but by completion, expansion, and trust earned from major public agencies.
Key Milestones Include:
NYC Small Business Services (SBS) — Program Completion
Successfully delivered and completed SBS-funded workforce training, reinforcing Soulful Synergy’s ability to meet large-scale municipal performance and compliance standards.
- Recruitment partner for HVAC and Advanced Manufacturing
- Focused on NYCHA residents and low income NYC residents
- Coordinated with SBS, Mayor’s Office of Talent & Workforce, City Tech, and MakerSpace
- Support more than 100 students with enrollment into these training programs to earn certification, pre apprenticeship in HVAC and apprenticeship training in advanced manufacturing
NYSERDA EV Training — Program Completion
Completed NYSERDA-funded electric vehicle training cohorts, building on a multi-year track record that now exceeds 1,100+ EV-trained participants across New York State.
- Delivered in person and virtually, both live and asynchronously.
- Offered in English and Spanish.
- Provided upskilling to NY residents looking to advance their knowledge in clean transportation
- Trained more than 300 government workers from NYS Office of General Services (OGS), as well as dozens from Con Edison, National Grid, NYC agencies like DOT, EDC, and DCAS
New Jersey Offshore Wind Training — Program Completion
Closed out offshore wind workforce training in Newark, marking Soulful Synergy’s first completed offshore wind cohort in New Jersey and a major step into regional clean-energy infrastructure careers.
- Completed 3 cohorts of participants, graduating 60+
- Acquired skills in green construction, electrical installation, renewable energy, and offshore wind energy generation
- More than 60% job placement post program
RETI Clean Energy Training – Program
Funded by Westchester-Putnam One-Stop Career Center and supported by the Westchester Community Foundation, this pilot program provided 150+ hours of hybrid training across weatherization and electrification.
- County Executive and DOL article
- Inaugural program for the County
- Certs students earned – OSHA, SST, GPRO Fundamentals of Building Green and GPRO Construction Management, BPI Building Science Principles, EPA 608, hands on green construction skills training
- Graduated 18 participants
- Strong post-program employment
- Supported by The New York Community Trust aka Westchester Community Foundation
NYPA Training Programs — Official Kickoff
Launched New York Power Authority–supported training in weatherization, building efficiency, and electrification — signaling a new phase of public-power workforce collaboration in Westchester and beyond.
- Contracted by NYPA to deliver training to 80 participants over 2 years
- First ever NYPA funded workforce development programs and we were selected in the first group of recipients
- 2 cohorts delivered to date with 60% job placements for cohort 1 and pending for cohort 2 that graduated in December
- Supported by The New York Community Trust aka Westchester Community Foundation
NYSERDA Offshore Wind — Program Launch
Initiated NYSERDA-supported offshore wind workforce programming, expanding Soulful Synergy’s footprint into one of the most strategic clean-energy sectors in the state.
- Leveraging the curriculum ad experience from OSW training in NJ we are proud to be selected by NYSERDA to provide training for 140 students over the next 2 years
- Our largest funded program to date
- Students will receive certifications, hands on skills, wrap around services, job placement and stipends
DREAM Keepers Workforce Collaboration
Partnering with the New Rochelle Community Justice Center (NRCJC), this initiative expands the DREAM program for young adults ages 18–24, integrating career exploration and workforce training to foster leadership, wellness, and civic engagement.
Follow-on Funding Secured
Awarded additional investment from the City of New Rochelle and NJEDA. These partners have funded our programming in the past, and we are extremely grateful for this further support of our programs, strengthening local and regional pipelines while validating Soulful Synergy’s cross-state operating model.
Major Clean Energy Academy milestone
- 1500 total graduates since launch in late 2019
- More than 300 graduates this year
- November 2025 graduation at Con Edison Headquarters – 2025 – CEA Graduation
Together, these milestones reflect a shift from program delivery to ecosystem leadership — where training, funding, and employer demand are aligned.
Awards & Recognition
We’re humbled by the recognition of leaders and educators who helped shape this year’s impact:
Will “WD” Scherle — 2025 Drive Electric Community Change Maker Award
With 15+ years in clean energy and a NYSERDA-funded bilingual EV training program, Will has trained over 1,000 New Yorkers—expanding access to EV education and supporting equitable electrification. Read more
Dwayne Norris — 2025 Trailblazer Award
Through workforce programs at Soulful Synergy, Dwayne supports pathways into green construction and clean energy careers. Read more
Alejandro Alvarez — 2025 Unsung Award
As co-founder and CEO of Soulful Synergy, Alejandro helps build partnerships and training pipelines that connect residents to local construction and clean energy opportunities. Read more
W.D. “Will” Scherle — 2025 EVA Award for EV Educator of the Year
This honor from the Electric Vehicle Association recognizes Will’s dedication to EV education and his leadership in expanding access to clean transportation.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2026, Soulful Synergy enters its next phase — scaling proven models, deepening employer pipelines, and expanding access to emerging industries like offshore wind, building electrification, and clean transportation.
With trusted public partners, experienced instructors, and thousands of alumni, we are building more than programs — we are building pathways.
As we close another year of progress, thank you for helping us plant seeds for a greener future. Here’s to continued collaboration and shared impact in the year ahead!
“The transition to clean energy is the single greatest economic opportunity of our time.”
Christiana Figueres, former UN Climate Chief