Providing low-income people with access to green collar jobs requires strong partnerships between green employers, educational institutions and job training programs that prepare those with barriers to employment to enter the labor market. Labor unions can also play a critical role in designing curriculum and connecting qualified green jobs program graduates with opportunities in union apprenticeships and eventually union-track careers. Labor union apprenticeship programs are discussed later in the Guidebook.

In addition to vocational skills training, training programs for those with barriers to employment should offer full “wrap-around” services, including case management, soft skills and job readiness training, literacy and basic skills training. The best programs may provide stipends or other support to participants during training and will connect program participants to union apprenticeship programs or good-paying employers. Some programs will also combine on-the-job training with environmental education so that green-collar workers understand the importance of their work in supporting environmental sustainability.

The following are excellent examples of green-collar jobs training and education programs that are providing “pathways out of poverty” for California residents:

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An environmental education program that enables youth to bring change to their communities and the world. Programs include: Green Youth Coalition which links all groups in Southern California; After School/In-School community based service-learning in-action program; National Youth Summits; Green Solution Tours which bring students across the country together to talk about green issues; and Green Adventures, a global student exchange.

A partnership between public, private and community partners to implement a seamless education, training and workforce infrastructure that connects low-income, disadvantaged populations to livable wage jobs with career paths within the energy-utility industry. Key partners include LA Trade Tech, the Regional Economic Development Institute, LA Dept. of Water and Power, Southern California Gas Company, LA Unified School District and IBEW Locals 11 and 18.

Ma’at Youth Academy
Richmond, CA
Website: www.maatya.org

A free training and education academy for youth volunteers to prepare them for participating in city planning and community outreach activities. Program participants work with local planning and environmental agencies to develop recommendations on how to improve the environmental impact of cities and buildings on the environment.

Oakland Green Jobs Corps
Oakland, CA
Cypress-Mandela Training Center:
www.cypressmandela.org
Laney College: www.laney.peralta.edu

The Oakland Green Jobs Corps provides “green pathways out of poverty” for young adults in Oakland facing barriers to employment. The program – a partnership between Cypress Mandela Training Center, Laney College and Growth Sector – offers job-readiness training, ongoing support services and on-the-job training, enabling trainees to pursue careers in green industries.

Regional Technical Training Center (RTTC)
Oakland, CA
Website: www.rttc.us

Offers multiple hands-on free training programs including hazardous waste management and environmental engineering. Requires supplemental coursework for the engineering program, though job placement assistance is offered upon program completion.

Rising Sun Energy Center and Community Youth Energy Services (CYES)
Multiple Locations, San Francisco Bay Area
Website: www.risingsunenergy.org

Offers free training to volunteers ages 15 to 22 and sends them to residential homes and public shelters during the summer to perform energy audits and installation services. Students are trained in energy conservation and solar energy generation.

SCOPE and the Los Angeles Apollo Alliance
Los Angeles, CA
Website: www.scopela.org

Currently working to develop a Green Career Ladder Training Program to train 50 inner-city residents and place graduates in union apprenticeship programs and green jobs. Check in regularly at their website for updates.

Solar Richmond
Richmond and Oakland, CA
Website: www.solarrichmond.org
Solar Living Institute: www.solarliving.org
GRID Alternatives: www.gridalternatives.org
Richmond BUILD: www.ci.richmond.ca.us

A partnership with Solar Living Institute, GRID Alternatives and the city’s of Richmond’s BUILD program. Offers free job training, paid internships and job placement assistance to low-income area residents in solar installation and energy efficiency auditing.

YouthBuild USA
Multiple Locations throughout the state
Website: www.youthbuild.org

Offers free job training within a construction pre-apprenticeship and general education program. Participants must be 16 to 24 years old and working toward a GED or high school diploma. Participants spend 6 to 24 months in the program, dividing their time between a YouthBuild construction site and an alternative school.

WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM?

An apprenticeship is an entry-level job that pays the employee while they learn a skilled craft of trade. Most of the job training occurs during the working hours, though classroom training may also be required. The apprentice typically works alongside a highly experienced teacher to perform jobs and installations. The duration of the apprenticeship is typically between three and five years based on the skills and trade being learned. At the start of the apprenticeship, the worker may earn between $9 and $14 per hour. Once completed, the apprentice-turned-craftsman can earn more than $30 an hour. Most apprenticeship programs are either run through a labor union, large company like an electric utility (for the purposes of placing the worker in that company), or a local college. Typically, applicants to apprenticeship programs must be 18 years of age, in good physical health, possess a high school diploma or a GED, and able to read, write, and speak English.

California green job apprenticeship programs

Excellent resources to learn more about apprenticeships through local unions, trade organizations and individual companies can be found on the internet.

Government sponsored green jobs placement assistance

In addition to activities by unions and non-profit organizations, green job training and placement services sponsored by federal and state government agencies offer important opportunities to connect California workers with high quality jobs. As the green economy continues to grow and more workers are needed, similar programs may emerge at the city or county level.

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Offers special services to youth, ages 15 to 21, including peer advising, referrals to supportive services, workshops, job referrals and placement assistance and referrals to training and community outreach efforts. Programs are reached through one-stop career centers and workforce career offices located throughout the state.

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Offers special services to youth, ages 15 to 21, including peer advising, referrals to supportive services, workshops, job referrals and placement assistance and referrals to training and community outreach efforts. Programs are reached through one-stop career centers and workforce career offices located throughout the state.

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Offers special services to youth, ages 15 to 21, including peer advising, referrals to supportive services, workshops, job referrals and placement assistance and referrals to training and community outreach efforts. Programs are reached through one-stop career centers and workforce career offices located throughout the state.

Offers a searchable database of over 10,000 approved training programs throughout California. Individuals can search by cost of program, whether it accepts financial aid, program location, occupation type and additional services offered.

Workforce Services Offices and One-stop Career Centers offer in-person assistance to job seekers throughout California. Individuals can speak with EDD representatives about job placement assistance, training opportunities and education.

The Center is a full-employment preparation and training center operated by the LA Unified School District. The center serves a diverse community that includes at-risk youth and offers training course ion solar photovoltaic systems installation. Students can earn the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP) entry-level certificate – the industry standard. In addition to providing short term vocational training, the center offers classes for a High School Diploma, and GED prep in English and Spanish.

Employs young people to provide conservation services for government agencies and private contract sponsors throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Offers free education, job-training and paid apprenticeship programs for multiple career types – including jobs in the energy, construction, automotive and transportation sectors – to people ages 16 to 24. Programs are reached through Job Corps offices located throughout the state. Also offers career pathways assessments for education program planning.

California boasts world class educational institutions where students can learn valuable skills that prepare them to enter the workforce. Community colleges, trade schools, 4-years universities and graduate schools all offer excellent programs to individuals looking to learn about and advance in the green economy.a green job programs at academic institutions

A sound education that gives an individual a specialized skill set can make it easier to be hired and promoted at the company of one’s choosing. Surveys have shown that employers of the new green workforce are going to be looking for educational preparation in math, science and technology, in addition to good problem solving skills and hands-on training. In addition, just as in any other field, there will always be a need for individuals with advance training, especially at the Master’s level and higher.

4-YEAR COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Most, if not all, four year colleges and universities offer a wide range of basic and advanced courses within bachelor’s level and higher degree programs to prepare students for the green workforce. Environmental studies and science programs have been training workers in the environmental resource management fields (including energy, waste and water) for decades, and coursework in chemistry, biology, engineering, math, geology and environmental science has continued to be a main emphasis of the required curriculum. For more information on these schools and the programs they offer, a large number of resources are available on the Internet, through career services offices at high schools and colleges, or by contacting the schools directly. Due to the breadth of such coursework offerings and the limited nature of this guidebook, academic programs at 4-year institutions are not included in the Guidebook.

TRADE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS

California is home to many specialty schools and institutions that offer coursework tailored to meet the requirements of a specific job class or field. These programs allow students the flexibility to complete a certificate or degree program in the field of their choosing. However, students may first want to identify the type of green job they desire and specifically tailor their concentration to meet the demands of that job.

2-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The network of over 100 California community colleges offers a diverse array of low cost two-year degree and certificate programs to prepare students for green jobs. In addition to the traditional sciences, many two-year schools offer specialty degree programs and apprenticeship programs designed to fill specific green job niches. A list of all the California community colleges with identified specialty programs beyond the traditional sciences of chemistry, biology, math, physics, geography and geology is included on the following pages.