The $6.3 million in state funding was given to cities to help them create programs for youth workers that address climate issues, food insecurity, and COVID-19. The program will provide $5 million for the wages of the workers, while the $1.3 million remaining will support other support services.
Residents between 16 and 30 years old can apply for the Long Beach program. It will pay approximately $16 to $27 an hour and pay 380 participants. The majority of the fellowships available through the program will last six to eight months and pay a maximum amount of 450 hours. However, 16 positions would last two years.
The program participants will comprise three-quarters of those who are low income, unemployed, transitioning from foster care, or engaged in mental health, substance abuse treatment, or have been in criminal justice.
The program’s goal is to help participants acquire new skills through job placement.
Nick Schultz is the executive director of Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network. He said that partners include Pacific Gateway, local government departments, and area non-profits. They will be meeting in the next few days and could begin job placements as soon as June.
Robert Garcia, Mayor of Los Angeles, stated that climate change is often not an issue that is easily accessible to low-income communities. He asked for a wide outreach program that would use the city’s schools and faith institutions as well as community organizations to spread the word about the new opportunity to learn about climate-related jobs.
Garcia stated that he believes this program will be transformative for many young people.
They could be placed in programs that include rooftop solar panel installation, ecosystem restoration, tree planting, urban farming, and ecosystem restoration. They could also be a city liaison with community members to help them with climate initiatives.
They would receive the tools and industry training. Schultz indicated that there may be an option for the program to count towards completion of apprenticeships if participants wish to continue their education with a trade organization.
Participants in the Youth Climate Corps can learn new skills and receive support services such child care, transportation, and the clothing and equipment they need to do their jobs.
The creation of the Youth Climate Corps began in November, when the city began to explore how it should spend the money it received from the state. The creation of the program was supported by environmental groups. The city also sought to align it to the federal civilian climate corp in order to secure future funding.
Long Beach will create Youth Climate Corps with $5 Million in state funding