CAPS Awarded $500,000 from California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) Grant
Developing Apprenticeship Programs to Empower Students for Green Careers and Build Sustainable Communities Across California
OAKLAND, CALIF., AUGUST 2024 — Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) is thrilled to announce it has been selected to receive $500,000 from the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) Grant, awarded by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). This funding will enable CAPS to expand its innovative programs that provide paid internships to students from under-resourced high schools to tackle climate change and prepare for careers in the growing green economy.
CAPS partners with school districts disproportionately affected by climate change, offering a project-based learning program that reduces operating costs, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and prepares students for green careers in the growing green economy. By involving student interns in hands-on sustainability projects, CAPS helps create more equitable, sustainable, and resilient schools and communities.
“We are honored to receive the COYA Grant, which will have a transformative impact on our ability to support opportunity youth in California,” said Kirk Anne Taylor, Executive Director of CAPS. “This funding will enhance our efforts to provide paid, work-based learning programs that not only address climate change but also equip students with the technical skills and experience needed for future careers in the green economy.”
The California Department of Industrial Relations’ COYA Grant, established through SB 191, is a new initiative designed to increase the participation of opportunity youth—individuals aged 16-24 who face educational achievement gaps or attend schools in lower-income communities—in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. By supporting opportunity youth in their career development, COYA aims to build in-demand skills, provide relevant experience, and connect youth with employers seeking those skills.
Aligned with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s “Freedom to Succeed” Executive Order, the COYA initiative will fund innovative practices that help opportunity youth achieve in-demand careers across various sectors. This grant will specifically enable CAPS to develop Registered Apprenticeship Programs for two occupations in the growing green economy that are expected to see significant growth:
Sustainability Specialist (O*Net Code 13-1199.05)
Energy Auditor (O*Net Code 47-4011.01)
A centerpiece of the CAPS youth program is sustainability projects in school communities. CAPS implements a suite of sustainability projects that meet the climate action plans of local education agencies. These include projects such as school building decarbonization, active transportation, green schoolyards.
This grant will enable CAPS to:
Expand Program Reach: Increase the number of participating schools and students, especially in communities hardest hit by climate change.
Enhance Training and Resources: Provide advanced training, resources, and mentorship to help students develop and execute climate mitigation projects.
Strengthen Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local employers, government agencies, and community organizations to create robust pathways to employment for opportunity youth.
Monitor and Demonstrate Impact: Track and showcase the outcomes of apprenticeship programs on employment and earnings for participating youth, providing a model for future initiatives.
“By developing apprenticeship programs for Sustainability Specialists and Energy Auditors, we are not only addressing the urgent need for climate action but also preparing our students for high-growth, high-wage green careers,“ said Kirk Anne Taylor. “This grant empowers us to equip young people with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in high-demand, sustainable careers, ultimately fostering a more resilient and equitable future for our communities.”
Through the CAPS Corporate Partnership program, companies can support the long-term health of an experienced workforce for their industry, provide students with mentorship and guidance, help provide hands-on learning opportunities, and make a measurable impact on local schools, communities and the planet as a whole. For more information, email Kirk Anne Taylor at kataylor@climateactionpathways.org.
ABOUT CAPS:
Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) is a California 501C (3) nonprofit organization that partners with under-resourced schools to lower operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance climate literacy. We provide a project-based learning program to prepare students for green jobs and high-skill career pathways by helping them develop and execute projects that mitigate climate change, resulting in more equitable, sustainable, and resilient schools and communities. Learn more: www.climateactionpathways.org