Blue hats, khaki shirts, big smiles – while attending Green Technology’s signature events you might have run into the recognizable crews from the California Conservation Corps (CCC). For years now, Corpsmembers have supported Green Technology’s Sustainable Facilities Forum as well as the Green California Schools & Higher Education Summit.
What you might not know is these young adults are part of CCC’s Energy Corps where they train for careers in the clean energy sector through a year of hands-on, paid service to California.
“The CCC is training our future workforce, to not just be part of more sustainable climate solutions, but to be leaders,”
Director Bruce Saito
“The training we provide our young adults sets them up for success, developing them into exceptional individuals with the character, credentials, and commitment needed to tackle conservation challenges.”
California Conservation Corps
“I came into the CCC not knowing anything besides flipping on a light switch,” said CCC Norwalk Corpsmember Ole Jimenez. “Now, I know how to put things together to make electricity run.”
Corpsmembers receive industry level training in the CCC while conducting energy surveys, completing lighting retrofits, and installing solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations. CCC collaborated with California’s community colleges to develop the training that covers a range of topics such as OSHA-10, scissor/aerial lift operations, energy efficiency basics, data collection, wiring, and more.
CCC’s Energy Corps is primarily funded through California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and California Climate Investments. which allows the CCC to complete projects that local government, schools, and institutions might not otherwise be able to afford, and at the same time pay the Corpsmembers as they learn skills that will help them jumpstart their career.
Corpsmembers can complete a variety of energy projects and work in several locations across the state. In just the last year, CCC crews conducted energy surveys in collaboration with California State Parks.
“We went around the California State Railroad Museum and determined what type of lights they used and the wattage on each light, even the display lights and those in the train cars,” said Sacramento Corpsmember Sam Suslick. “The goal of the survey was to determine what steps the museum could take to be more energy efficient.”
These projects allow the state to reduce the amount of energy required to power its facilities which then reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CCC Energy Corps is advancing the State’s goals of doubling energy efficiency savings and reducing GHG emissions 40-percent by 2030.
“The CCC is training our future workforce, to not just be part of more sustainable climate solutions, but to be leaders,” said CCC Director Bruce Saito. “The training we provide our young adults sets them up for success, developing them into exceptional individuals with the character, credentials, and commitment needed to tackle conservation challenges.”
Energy Corps Corpsmembers are based at the CCC’s Fresno, Norwalk, Sacramento, and Vista centers; each preparing young adults with the skills necessary to join the energy workforce and land careers with solar and energy companies, government agencies, and more.
“I wanted to do work where I can give back to the community, and that is rewarding,” said Corpsmember Janiyah Graham-Howze. “My favorite class in the CCC is on retrofit surveying. I’ve been getting more experience in it. I am getting hands-on training, so I can further my career in energy.”
The crews are currently completing energy surveys and retrofits at schools and government buildings. In the coming months, Corpsmembers will complete solar and EV installation training, as the CCC looks to meet the growing demand for these clean energy solutions and ready-to-work employees.
You can support the CCC and its mission through partnering on your next energy related project. Contact your local CCC center or email brandon.joanis@ccc.ca.gov .
To learn more about hiring Corpsmembers to join your work force, contact our Corpsmember Development Unit at cmd.hq@ccc.ca.gov .
And, if you know of a young adult who could benefit from the CCC’s paid training opportunities, encourage them to apply at ccc.ca.gov today!
In the meantime, the CCC and its Corpsmembers look forward to seeing you at the Green California Schools & Higher Education Summit on October 17, 2023, in Pasadena.