From Internships to Apprenticeships: How CAPS Is Expanding Green Job Training
Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) continues to advance career opportunities for students in sustainability fields through hands-on, work-based learning. In 2024, we received a $500,000 grant from the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) initiative, allowing us to take a significant step toward developing a registered youth apprenticeship program for students from age 16 to 24. These apprenticeships will provide students with structured industry training and certifications, helping them transition from high school to careers in the green economy.
About Youth Apprenticeships
The COYA grant, awarded by the California Department of Industrial Relations, supports CAPS in expanding career pathways for students in under-resourced schools. Our existing paid internship program has been introduced to students in school districts across California. This new funding enables us to provide youth with the opportunity to continue earning post-high school in a formal apprenticeship program.
As part of the early stages of development, we launched a survey in late 2024 to gather insights from industry professionals about the skills and requirements necessary for two key apprenticeship roles: sustainability specialist (O*Net Code 13-1199.05) and energy auditor (O*Net Code 47-4011.01). This survey, led by CAPS senior project manager Renée Solari, serves as a foundational step in shaping the apprenticeship opportunities to align with workforce needs.
"CAPS is well positioned to develop a youth apprenticeship model due to the on-the-job training that CAPS already provides via our internship,” says Solari. “Transitioning to an apprenticeship program would add layers of industry validation to both the learning process and the achievements of participants."
The survey includes input from professionals in renewable energy, energy efficiency, zero-emission transportation, healthy food systems, and sustainable ecological systems. By gathering technical competencies and soft skills data, we aim to tailor our apprenticeships to meet industry standards while ensuring accessibility for students from historically underserved communities.
Why Green Jobs Matter
California’s ambitious climate goals—such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030—are fueling the rapid change for all industries to function more sustainably. However, many employers struggle to find qualified candidates to fill these roles due to a growing skills gap in the workforce.
The apprenticeship program we are developing will directly address this gap by equipping students with hands-on experience in sustainability initiatives, industry-recognized credentials, and exposure to real-world projects. These careers provide economic stability and contribute to environmental justice by ensuring that communities most impacted by climate change have access to green job opportunities.
“Green jobs are not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions—they are about building resilient communities,” said Kirk Anne Taylor, CAPS executive director. “We want to make sure that young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, have a clear pathway into the growing green economy.”
CAPS Industry Survey and Preliminary Insights
The CAPS industry survey remains underway, and we are continuing to collect valuable data on the essential skills and experience needed for sustainability careers. Respondents have already highlighted critical technical skills such as energy auditing, data analysis, renewable energy integration, and environmental compliance. Soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and adaptability are crucial for long-term career success.
For example, students in the energy auditor apprenticeship will likely need proficiency in conducting energy audits, analyzing consumption data, and working with energy efficiency technologies. Meanwhile, the sustainability specialist apprenticeship may require knowledge of renewable energy, healthy food systems (including waste management), zero-emission transportation, and sustainable ecological systems (including landscaping and urban forests).
Solari emphasizes that the survey process is key to ensuring the program’s relevance: “We are actively engaging with professionals in these industries because we don’t want to make assumptions about what students need—we want to build a program that truly sets them up for success. Right now, we’re in the data collection phase, and every response helps shape how these apprenticeships will take form.”
Next Steps in the Apprenticeship Development Process
After the survey has concluded, in our next steps to develop the apprenticeship program, we will:
Analyze survey findings to refine the curriculum framework for the two apprenticeship roles.
Align the curriculum in targeted high school Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways courses with the general and specific technical skills required for the apprenticeship.
Collaborate with industry partners to provide mentorship, training, and future green job placements for students.
Work to expand this opportunity to more school districts across California.
A Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future
This initiative represents a significant step forward in CAPS’s mission to connect students with meaningful sustainability careers. However, building an apprenticeship program from the ground up requires collaboration between educators, industry professionals, policymakers, and community organizations.
Bill Kelly, CAPS founder and director of energy & sustainability programs, said, “We are building the foundation by supporting youth in a manner that will have lasting impact. This isn’t just telling students about the great jobs available in sustainability, but helping them become highly competent in the technical and soft skills needed to fill those jobs and then take leadership positions in the companies working towards a sustainable economy. We want these opportunities for youth in all communities.”
As CAPS continues this work, we invite industry partners and school administration to get involved in shaping these apprenticeships. By collaborating with CAPS, you can play a crucial role in helping to train and prepare the workforce of the future, benefiting both the local economy and the environment.
To keep up with the latest and support CAPS:
Donate to support CAPS student interns in taking climate action in their local community.
Learning more about CAPS industry partnership opportunities.