The Center will help train today’s workforce for the growing climate industry
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) today announced the establishment of the California Center for Climate Change Education, a first-of-its-kind, forward-looking resource designed to prepare students for good-paying, fulfilling careers in the clean energy and climate technology industries.
The California Center for Climate Change Education, which launched this week, will be located at West Los Angeles College and will be accessible to students across all nine LACCD campuses.
LACCD serves a student population that is predominantly low-income and from communities of color—many of whom have already been directly impacted by climate change. District leadership recognizes that climate change is a social justice issue. By strengthening climate justice education and developing a skilled workforce to build cleaner, more resilient infrastructure, the Center advances the District’s equity, sustainability, and clean energy goals.
The California Center for Climate Change Education was funded through a $5 million state allocation as part of AB 1913, sponsored by Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan, along with $1.3 million in federal funding sponsored by then-Representative Karen Bass and Senator Alex Padilla. The federal funding was approved as part of the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
“Climate justice is social justice. The financial and environmental impacts of climate change are felt most profoundly in Black, Brown, Indigenous, and low-income communities,” said Assemblymember Bryan. “I was proud to advocate for the California Center for Climate Change Education, which will ensure California continues to lead the way in green energy innovation and climate justice.”
The Center is built around six core goals:
- expanding internships and work-based learning opportunities in equity, environmental justice, and green jobs;
- partnering with local and regional organizations and experts to support workforce development needed to modernize the energy grid and advance climate resiliency;
- serving as a resource for community colleges on climate change education rooted in equity and social justice;
- building clear pathways and roadmaps for students pursuing careers in climate justice through relevant degrees, certificates, and training;
- fostering partnerships with nonprofit organizations that provide internships and career-building opportunities; and
- developing an annual urban climate change and sustainability conference.
“I could not be more proud to celebrate the California Center for Climate Change Education, which will change lives and help our planet,” said LACCD Board President David Vela. “I have always believed that climate change is a social justice issue, and investing in a clean energy workforce will help create a better city, state, and world for all of us.”
Establishing the Climate Center also strengthens pathways for LACCD students pursuing higher education in climate-related fields. While the University of California and California State University systems have launched climate-focused initiatives in recent years—including the UC Center for Climate Justice in 2022—West Los Angeles College is currently the only community college in California offering an associate degree in climate change and environmental studies. Expanding access to these programs is critical given the rapid growth of climate-related careers.
“California is poised to be a leader in creating jobs in the clean energy sector,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. “The California Center for Climate Change Education will provide state-of-the-art education and training that positions students for success in one of the state’s fastest-growing industries. These jobs of the future pay well while protecting our most precious resource—the Earth.”
Recent legislation under the California Climate Commitment is expected to generate four million new clean energy jobs, in addition to those created by the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Community college students are well positioned to fill these critical roles.
“Communities of color tend to face disproportionate impacts from climate change,” said James Limbaugh, President of West Los Angeles College. “The California Center for Climate Change Education will empower students to advocate for their communities, engage in meaningful climate learning, and benefit from a comprehensive workforce development initiative.”
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About Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan represents California’s 55th Assembly District. He serves as Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Poverty and Economic Inclusion and Treasurer of the California Legislative Black Caucus. His legislative work includes phasing out oil drilling near homes and securing more than $36 million in funding for green infrastructure, climate education, and clean technology development, including $5 million to establish California’s first community college climate change education center at West Los Angeles College.
About West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College is an ACCJC-accredited California Community College offering career certificates, associate degrees, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Students may enroll full-time or part-time, in person or online. The college was recently named among the nation’s top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute. Learn more at www.wlac.edu.
About the Los Angeles Community College District
The Los Angeles Community College District is the nation’s largest community college district, serving approximately 250,000 students annually across nine colleges in more than 36 cities throughout Los Angeles County. Since 1969, LACCD has provided pathways to transfer, degrees, and workforce training for Southern California’s diverse communities. Learn more at www.laccd.edu.
Board of Trustees
David Vela, President · Nichelle Henderson, 1st Vice President · Kelsey K. Iino, 2nd Vice President · Gabriel Buelna · Sara Hernandez · Andra Hoffman · Steven F. Veres · Kenneth-Alan Callahan, Student Trustee