Workforce Development

To develop the skilled workforce needed to plan, lead, and implement climate resilience actions into the future, our workforce development collaborators will train young adults, college students, and professionals in a variety of climate adaptation skills. All participating institutions specialize in recruiting from disadvantaged communities, and their programs specifically support diversity, equity, and inclusion. All programs connect with employers through continuing job placement, use established earn-and-learn models with paid internships and wrap-around support, and provide stackable credentials.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch will train 120 young adults in wetlands/habitat restoration, planning, GIS, and other skills. Hartnell College will engage more than 750 learners (e.g., incumbent farm workers) in no-cost certificate programs, and place more than 100 students in climate internships. California State University Monterey Bay will provide 45 paid undergraduate climate internships, tuition support, and stipends for 6 intensive professional internships, and additional scholarships. The University of California, Santa Cruz will support up to 84 undergraduates in climate internships, externships, and drone pilot training, and 7 graduate students in year-long climate adaptation projects. The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Coastal Training Program will provide climate training to 105 local professionals, including stipends for 18 Tribal and disadvantaged community leaders. Our workforce development team will also convene a quarterly MBCAAN Workforce Development Committee.