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Back in September 2023, Biden announced the launch of the American Climate Corps (ACC), a job training program for youths to help fight climate change. In the first year, 20,000 people will tackle tasks that involve installing clean energy solutions, land and water conservation, boosting a community’s resilience to disasters, recycling, and more. So far, $150 million has been invested in the program, and those interested can start applying for these jobs next month.
This ACC program promises to train younger American people in the climate industry that has been hit with a shortage of skilled energy workers. For instance, they will develop skills that focus on deploying solar panels and installing heat pumps/electric vehicle chargers for a carbon-free economy. They would also restore ecosystems, like wetlands, keeping towns protected from floods.
Next month, the job boards for the ACC program are expected to open. However, only a few hundred jobs will be posted first, and the end goal is to hire 20,000 young people in the first year. Those interested in obtaining work can use the portal to apply for positions, many of which don’t require experience. These spots may even fill up fast due to widespread support. According to a poll by Data for Progress, 71% of voters think this program has the right idea. An earlier poll also indicates that 50% of voters younger than 45 thought about joining the program. With such a high demand, Biden said the Corps could grow three times its current size in a decade. By 2031, the ACC may hire 50,000 corps workers per year, and that means it needs an $8 billion expansion.
The Inflation Reduction Act, a climate bill signed by Biden in 2021, originally funded the American Climate Corps. However, the bill lost that funding before its passage. That led to the ACC’s funding being sourced from investments for other agencies, like the Department of Energy, the Department of Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Some of these funds for the jobs come from the $2 billion in environmental justice community grants distributed to the EPA. These grants could benefit a grassroots community organization that installs air monitors in neighborhoods.
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