California Workforce Development Board’s Post

Swanfall Strategies recently teamed up with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to explore creating new pathways for workforce development of mid level professionals in roles that support green job initiatives. This project is in response to the goals outlined in Maryland's Climate Pollution Reduction Plan and intends to connect the state's climate and workforce goals through preparing Marylanders for high-demand climate jobs. Did you know, Maryland is on its way to achieving one of the most ambitious climate goals in the country and plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045? Getting to net-zero is also expected to produce a net gain of 27,400 jobs over the next 8 years!

Big news for our nation - and Adult Education! "The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, today launched the Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative to grow career pathways in climate and clean energy fields, strengthen workforce diversity, and jointly train 1 million new registered apprentices by 2035 across the Alliance’s states and territories." And yes - Adult Ed can be a part of this! "States and territories will also collaborate directly with their workforce development system partners, labor unions, higher education institutions, industry, and other key partners that bring substantial expertise and experience in this work" Clean Energy, Fuels, and Technologies: Led by Michigan and New Jersey, this cohort will focus on careers in the design, construction, and maintenance of a clean, affordable, and resilient power system; the manufacturing and deployment of zero-emission vehicles and technologies; and the development and distribution of alternative, low-carbon fuels. Clean Buildings and Industry: Led by Maine and Massachusetts, this cohort will focus on careers in the engineering, design, construction, retrofitting, maintenance, and operation of buildings and industrial processes that are clean, energy-efficient, healthy, and resilient. Resilient Communities and Lands: Led by Arizona and Vermont, this cohort will focus on careers in the development and maintenance of safe, livable, and resilient communities; preparedness for and response to climate impacts such as extreme heat, wildfires, severe storms, flooding, and drought; and the deployment of natural climate solutions and climate-smart stewardship of our lands and waters. https://lnkd.in/gykEQUgC #AdultEducationMatters #GreenJobPathways #ClimateResilient

🌍 Exciting news this Earth Day! President Joe Biden has announced significant strides in renewable energy and workforce development. During a visit to Triangle, Virginia, the President unveiled $7 billion in grant funding for solar power under the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at developing sustainable solar programs across states, territories, tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits. 🌞 This initiative is set to empower nearly one million households in low-income and disadvantaged communities, projecting savings of over $350 million in electric costs annually. This is a game-changer for energy access and equity! Additionally, the administration is revitalizing the American Climate Corps. This program isn't just about job creation; it's a comprehensive effort to prepare young Americans for futures in clean energy and climate resilience. 🌱💼 The new partnership with TradesFutures and the apprenticeship opportunities with North America’s Building Trades Unions are pivotal for integrating skilled labor with sustainable practices. It's inspiring to see states like Vermont, New Mexico, and Illinois launching their state-based climate corps, emphasizing local action in our collective fight against climate change. Let's discuss how these initiatives can shape industries and transform communities! #EarthDay #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #SolarPower #WorkforceDevelopment #Sustainability

On behalf of my colleagues at Mississippi State University and Mississippi State University Extension Service, I would like to express our collective interest in participating in this opportunity. We have assembled teams previously responding to all elements that have emerged as important themes at the The White House forum of March 15th 2023 and we would absolutely love to partner with other teams to respond to this DCL to establish a Research Coordinating Network (RCN) University-Community Climate Action Network (UCCAN). - Starting with trust as the essential ingredient for successful campus and community partnerships; ✅ - Making sure underserved communities that are the most vulnerable to climate impacts are at the forefront of developing and deploying climate solutions; ✅ - Ensuring that students have the knowledge and skills to lead in the clean industries of the future and to plan, deploy, and maintain the climate-smart infrastructure needed; ✅ - Enabling campuses to provide essential climate extension services to states, municipalities, and indigenous communities; ✅ - Campus communities partnering with federal agencies to serve as proving grounds for new climate solutions and demonstrate pathways to net-zero emissions. ✅ Please contact me in you're interested in pursuing this opportunity. #MaroonResearch #CollaborationCall #IMPACT

As part of a fun (and nerdy!) personal project, I was introduced to the work of Social Finance. I was totally intrigued by their Career Impact Bonds concept, and asked Jess Brooks: can this be done with climate work? She said yes and "we're doing it"--hooray! I love how the project allows people to get the green jobs that we need today and will need much much more of tomorrow. And the money recycles! 🤩 ♻ We can't recycle plastic, but we sure as hell can recycle money! #workforcedevelopment #climatesolutions

We’ve been considering how we might shift our approaches to climate education to inspire the next generation of change-makers. 💦 Start with water. After all, it does comprise 70% of our home planet. 🌎 - Emphasize Water Literacy education. - Integrate Local and Indigenous Knowledge. - Encourage Hands-On Learning and Fieldwork. - Prioritize Interdisciplinary Approaches. - Make Community and Global Connections real. What is your approach to CCE? We'd love to know. Comment below! #TeachingforChange #ClimateChangeEducation #CCE #ClimateAction #ForPeopleForPlanet

If you know a student or recent grad looking for real world, boots-on-the-ground experience in forestry, land stewardship, science, technology, and wildland firefighting -- plus money for college, a potential path to federal career path, and knowing your work makes a difference in people's lives and improves our climate resilience -- send them to the new U.S. Climate Corps website: climatecorps.gov. My first experience working in government was through a youth jobs program. I was 14, it was a summer job, and I think the strategic intent of that program was mostly keeping young people off the streets and out of trouble when we were out of school. It wasn't designed to introduce me to my life's work. But it planted a seed. While the path to my current career wasn't exactly a straight line, I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today without that opportunity. I know how valuable the opportunity to work while I learned, and to learn while I worked was for me - and I want those opportunities available to all young people, but especially those who experience less economic opportunity because of where they live, or who they are, or what their parents earn. In other words: I'm not just sharing this because I work for USFS and some of these jobs support our work. I'm sharing this because I work for USFS, and I know how easily my path could have zigged instead of zagged if I hadn't been offered an opportunity like this one. And these jobs are actually better . So go, spam some kids. Get them to spam their friends. Push the Gen Zers and Gen As to get their hands dirty working on a forest, or to planting city trees, or taking water samples. Put money in their pocket to pay for tuition, or and some experience on their resume. Maybe, change their lives. Or at least get these teens and 20-somethings off your couches and our lawns and the streets, for a summer. Really, it's win-win. https://lnkd.in/g9RsDJmy

With the realities of a changing climate impacting our lives daily, there's no denying that the time for comprehensive #climateeducation policies is now. In "The Case for Climate Education in New York State" author Emily Alix Fano, Director of Climate Resilience Education at National Wildlife Federation outlines the current state of advocacy for climate education and explores how it can have a "crucial role" in "societal transformation". How can we equip our teachers to tackle the climate crisis in the classroom? Find out in more in-depth here: https://lnkd.in/eG63Tbaz

Update!!! EcoJustice, is hitting the ground running! We’ve gotten applications so far but still looking for motivated individuals to fill some positions. A bit more about our program… EcoJustice is an organization based on unveiling the secrets behind environmental racism -- systemic racism that disproportionally effects the environments of people of color. Oftentimes, people of color here that environmentalism and sustainability are "for white people", and fail to realize that they are the most affected by the climate crisis. EcoJustice aims to create community trainings and "crash courses on EJ" specifically targeting people of all ages, as well as partner with other community orgs. to create productive, helpful trainings for the LB community! Our aims are simple: 1. To educate Long Beach citizens, despite age, about the reality of environmental racism and enlighten on how the climate crisis directly affects them. 2. Target and educate people of color as they are the most affected by the climate crisis. 3. Create a sense of awareness and urgency to create feasible change in our community. 4. Organize and collaborate with other local organizations to lead citizens in different ways to create a positive impact, and better the world for themselves. These roles are all available to do virtually except for lecturer/presenter. To apply…click the link! https://lnkd.in/grzn4FGk

Community colleges are the missing piece in helping individuals and communities build resilience to climate and climate-policy change. They train the workforce for energy and economic transitions, provide assistance and engagement with their communities, and serve as models for sustainability. Cameron Sublett and I have some thoughts on this topic in the current Inside Higher Ed!