The LBCC team’s work is aided by an unusual combination of municipal and regional climate action plans which are complemented by labor market assessments that are unique to the region. Forecasts by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation and the Center of Excellence are being evaluated relative to the City of Long Beach Climate Action Plan and County of Los Angeles Climate Action Plan to identify career pathways that address high priority climate resilience activities. The Rand Corporation is conducting a gap analysis to identify water and power infrastructure vulnerabilities as well as relevant employment opportunities throughout Southern California's populous Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
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Steven Mendoza, Climate Resilience & Sustainability, Program Manager
DescriptionLong Beach City College students are earning and learning. The Viking Climate Action Fellowship provides paid job training to empower the next generation of professionals in climate-critical industries.
Armed with this information, as well as new and ongoing relationships with regional employers, LBCC is adapting its curricula in several departments:
- Electrical Technology (e.g., solar);
- Construction Technology (e.g., energy efficiency);
- Automotive Technology (e.g., electric vehicles and charging infrastructure);
- and other skilled trades-oriented departments.
The project team is leveraging relationships with local employers to create training and job placement pipelines for workers in the water and power industries. A Water Utility Academy, for example, is being developed by the college and Long Beach Utilities to train and certify workers in water and wastewater system operations.
Job-related training will be conducted at LBCC facilities and those of the project’s employer partners that are located within or adjacent to neighborhoods that experience chronic underemployment. Outreach and wraparound services, such as bus passes and meals, are being directed to meet the needs of potential students and employees in these same neighborhoods.
