USGBC California Expands Green Career Pathways for 2.5M+ Students
Los Angeles-based U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC California) has announced partnership agreements with California State University (CSU) and the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the official nonprofit partner of the California Community Colleges (CCC).
The partnerships expand access to green career pathways, technical training, hands-on internships and professional networks for more than 2.5 million undergraduate, graduate, and community college students across 22 CSU campuses and 116 CCCs.
As California advances its net-zero and climate resilience goals, the partnerships are designed to strengthen the state’s local talent pipeline and prepare workers to design, build, operate, and maintain sustainable infrastructure while adapting buildings and communities to a hotter, more wildfire-prone environment.
The partnerships establish comprehensive workforce development frameworks that expand access to sustainability education, training and career opportunities across participating campuses. Key initiatives include:
• complimentary USGBC California memberships for students, faculty, and staff, providing access to statewide professional networks, mentorship, and technical experts;
• dedicated CSU and CCC web portals offering training, events, certificates, and networking opportunities;
• industry-recognized green workforce training through USGBC California’s learning platform, covering topics such as embodied carbon, electrification, zero waste, building performance, extreme heat, and wildfire resilience;
• students will also receive priority consideration for Green Building Corps internships, opportunities to participate in career events connecting them with employers and industry mentors, and invitations to engage in policy advocacy through Green Building Advocacy Day in Sacramento; and
• CSU campuses will have opportunities to showcase sustainable facilities through EcoMapCA, creating public education tours highlighting green building design and energy efficiency.
Through our ongoing economic and workforce development partnerships, we support the advancement and expansion of green careers throughout the U.S.
Image courtesy of USGBC.