Climate Impact Corps sets a National Example on Energy Careers Panel
In case you missed it, Director of Climate Programs Dylan Kelly represented Climate Impact Corps on a national panel! The program was highlighted as an effective model of launching careers in the energy sector through service.
The event was livestreamed on December 1 with almost 400 viewers. You can watch it below.
Hosted by the Brookings Institution and Service Year Alliance, the panel focused on leveraging federal funding for climate resilience and clean energy as part of the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act.
AmeriCorps programs – specifically the Home Energy Initiative of Climate Impact Corps – were highlighted as effective models.
The Home Energy Initiative works to help households decrease their energy burden and increase access weatherization services. It also works to build a pipeline for jobs in the energy sector. While serving in the program, members gain experience, participate in job shadowing and have the opportunity to earn an important entry-level credential.
The initiative also partners with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to cater its services towards Minnesota households whose occupants earn 50% or less of the state median income. Low-income households pay an average of 8.6% of their annual income for energy costs, a percentage three times higher than that of non-low-income households. The Home Energy initiative weatherizes these homes so they can not only save money, but save energy.
“The opportunity to partner with Ampact is one that I do not take lightly and have been graced with,” says Emily Beltt, training and outreach specialist at the Department of Commerce. “I’ve so appreciated working with Dylan because he’s not just looking at young people coming out of high school who might be perfect for this program, but all sorts of nontraditional paths, people who might be interested in getting a new certificate badge or learning a new trade.”
One of Climate Impact Corps’ goals is to build the next generation of climate leaders. “We’re not just building an industry, but a movement,” says Dylan. Part of the reason the Home Energy Initiative is so effective at moving members through this pipeline is the training. Members who serve in this initiative have the opportunity to earn certification as building analysts at no cost. This credential prepares them to launch a career in the green building sector as entry-level home energy auditors.
On top of practical job training, Climate Impact Corps’ training also brings together members of all fields and backgrounds to learn about environmental justice, climate anxiety, and the science and solutions needed to help mitigate the harshest effects.
“People’s stories are incredibly important,” Dylan says. “We’re bringing in people who are working in rural, suburban, and urban areas, people of all sorts of different demographics to share not only their common experiences but also to talk about what they’re seeing and how their communities are different. That’s all part of building a movement. It’s not only the on-the-job technical skills, but what we hope is a shared, transformational learning experience to launch their careers. That network and that time spent learning about those issues will be something they carry with them as they are decision-makers in those fields five, 10, 20 years down the line.”
