It’s Earth Day, and there is perhaps no better way to celebrate than by… getting a new job?
President Joe Biden took to the podium this afternoon to share his remarks about the holiday and deliver a very exciting announcement: Job applications for the American Climate Corps are now open.
The program is recruiting over 2,000 positions in 36 states, as well as Washington DC, and Puerto Rico — to start. But eventually, the corps will employ more than 20,000, according to the White House.
After announcing the formation of the Climate Corps last September, the Biden administration received interest from over 50,000 young Americans.
Given that the program is tailored to helping young people gain experience in the green economy, this enthusiasm is promising.
Biden spoke about the program, following an announcement of $7 billion in grant funding for solar power installation across the country.
“You’ll get paid to fight climate change,” the president said, with roles that include “learning how to install those solar panels, fight wildfires, rebuild wetlands, weatherize homes, and so much more.”
This first round of 2,000 jobs will kick off in June, with applicants placed with organizations focused on clean energy. Many of the roles are temporary — like a 14-week internship for solar panel installation, or a month-long opportunity to learn conservation skills.
Despite the short-term nature of these jobs, they are designed to lead to further advancement.
Biden announced today that members of the Climate Corps will have access to “pre-apprenticeship training” through a new partnership with the North American Building Trade Union.
With this partnership, once members of the corps are done with their service or training, they will be eligible for a streamlined path to federal climate-related jobs.
Additionally, Biden announced a strategic partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, which will put Climate Corps members to work in former coal mining and power plant communities, which have long been harmed by climate change.
This means these areas will be the first to benefit from the transition to clean energy solutions and green jobs.
“Today’s announcement fulfills unprecedented action we’ve already taken to tackle the climate crisis, deliver environmental justice, and build a clean energy future,” Biden said.
The announcements were made in Virginia’s Prince William Forest Park, which was built by the original Civilian Conservation Corps — a similar program that came to fruition during the FDR administration, following the Great Depression.
“When I think about climate, I think about — not only health and safety — but I think about jobs,” Biden said during his speech.
Although young climate activists seem enthusiastic about the program, they remain critical of the Biden administration’s action to approve oil projects, among other contentious political and environmental issues the president has yet to address.
Still, the Climate Corps shows potential as a way to bridge some of these gaps between young voters and the Biden administration.
“It brings out the best in young people to do what’s best for America,” Biden said of the program. “We’ll put tens of thousands of young people to work at the forefront of climate resilience and our clean energy future.”
Header image courtesy of the American Climate Corps
