LA Regional Cleantech Career Academy

As we build upon opportunities presented by the emerging green economy, we envision a future for L.A. that prioritizes equity, economic mobility, and environmental sustainability and justice—especially for individuals facing barriers to high-growth careers. In 2023, UNITE-LA launched the LA Regional Cleantech Career Academy, in partnership with more than 45 public and private organizations. The academy equips local, untapped talent with education, mentoring and skills training to meet the growing workforce demands, address the climate crisis and build a cleaner, greener future for all.

Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3: Your Day to Give Back and Invest in a Cleaner, Greener Future

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Our Mission
The LA Regional Cleantech Career Academy creates opportunities for students to succeed in California’s green energy future.

Through education, job-readiness programs and paid work-based learning, future clean energy leaders develop the real-world skills employers need and gain access to high-growth, high-wage jobs.

WHY CLEANTECH?

California is expected to create 4 million new jobs fighting climate change over the next two decades.

Los Angeles leads the nation with the most solar production of any U.S. city and has set a target to be 100% powered by clean energy by 2035.

Hourly pay for clean energy jobs is nearly 30% above the statewide median wage.

1 in 6 clean energy jobs in the United States is based in California.

Applications for the Spring 2025 cohort have opened and courses will begin in March 2025.

Learn more

Application Timeline

Helpful links
About the Cleantech Academy
Program overview for applicants
Become a partner
How to apply

Curious what the Cleantech Academy is like?

Hear directly from graduating students as they reflect back on their experience and what they gained through this hands-on, apprenticeship-style program.

Photo Gallery

Other FAQs

"I look forward to seeing the imagination and dedication they [graduating students] will bring to building a greener, more resilient Los Angeles and a cleaner, healthier world.”

Paul Krekorian
President, Los Angeles City Council
"SCE was honored to host this year’s students at the Edison Energy Education Center, where they had the opportunity to explore career pathways in the clean energy space."

Marryn Santucci
Community Engagement Advisor, Southern California Edison
“The education, job training and workforce development that the Cleantech Academy provides is exactly what our communities need to thrive amid our city’s clean energy transition."

Cynthia Heard
COO, Los Angeles Urban League
"By equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle environmental challenges, and by working closely with industry leaders, it empowers them to become change agents in their communities.”

Christopher Vargas
Executive Vice President of Business Development, Chargie
"LACI is delighted to partner with the first Cleantech Academy, to advance our shared goal of building a workforce for California's green energy future."

Estelle Reyes
Senior Vice President, Enhancing Community, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
"California’s clean energy sector is set to create millions of new jobs, and this exposure to industry knowledge, skills and hands-on experience is setting students up for success.”

Father Greg Boyle
Founder, Homeboy Industries
"By nurturing a new generation of cleantech workers, we are strengthening our workforce and fostering a culture of innovation and resilience as we transition to renewable energy."

Stephanie Wiggins
CEO, LA Metro
"Young people’s passion for turning the tide on climate change is an inspiration for us, and we're excited to bring their enthusiasm into our operations as interns at Veolia's water projects."

Larry Cook
West Region President, Veolia North America Municipal Water
“The Cleantech Academy opens doors for these students, who might otherwise be overlooked merely because they come from communities that have been systemically underserved.”

Francisco Rodriquez
Chancellor, Los Angeles Community College District
"This is an example of how robust career pathways, alongside strong partnerships with employers, will transform the lives of young people, our local economy and in this case, the environment."

Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
“Being able to serve students from under-resourced communities of color in all career paths, especially in the high-demand, high-growth cleantech industry, is critical in ensuring an equitable future.”

Dr. Thomas A. Parham
President, California State University, Dominguez Hills
“SCE looks forward to working directly with students, including providing coaching and mentoring, as well as supporting the curriculum development. Doing so gets all of us closer to a cleaner tomorrow.”

Porsha Caddell
Sr. Manager, Customer Programs & Services Division Management, Southern California Edison (SCE)
“Sunrun is thrilled to be an employer partner investing in students in Los Angeles by providing green job opportunities. Preparing the next generation for careers in cleantech is a win-win for our communities and our climate future.”

Lauren Nevitt
Director of Public Policy, Sunrun
"The Cleantech Academy will be pivotal in helping our talented students seize new careers as Los Angeles builds towards its net-zero future.“

Cynthia McClain-Hill
President, LADWP Board of Water and Power Commissioners
The Cleantech Academy bridges the gap between the growth of the renewables sector and the workforce needed to match this growth, and Meruelo is proud to partner on this initiative in support of the nation’s net-zero goals.”

Elizabeth Martinez
Vice President of Business Development, Meruelo Enterprises
“Building a cleaner future will create even more need for a skilled, dedicated workforce. Cordoba is proud to partner with the Cleantech Academy to help develop that talent pipeline and invest in this next generation.”

George Pla
CEO, Cordoba Corporation
"A career in cleantech can be a meaningful and rewarding path, and we are honored to help extend that opportunity to more students throughout Los Angeles.”

Hersh Saluja
CEO, E2 Consulting Engineers Inc.
“When Los Angeles comes together, we all benefit. The Cleantech Academy is an example of how we can bring educators, employers and community organizations together to create life-changing opportunities for our students.”

Dr. Karla Estrada
Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, LAUSD

Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3: Your Day to Give Back and Invest in a Cleaner, Greener Future

Application Timeline

Curious what the Cleantech Academy is like?

"I look forward to seeing the imagination and dedication they [graduating students] will bring to building a greener, more resilient Los Angeles and a cleaner, healthier world.”

"SCE was honored to host this year’s students at the Edison Energy Education Center, where they had the opportunity to explore career pathways in the clean energy space."

“The education, job training and workforce development that the Cleantech Academy provides is exactly what our communities need to thrive amid our city’s clean energy transition."

"By equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle environmental challenges, and by working closely with industry leaders, it empowers them to become change agents in their communities.”

"LACI is delighted to partner with the first Cleantech Academy, to advance our shared goal of building a workforce for California's green energy future."

"California’s clean energy sector is set to create millions of new jobs, and this exposure to industry knowledge, skills and hands-on experience is setting students up for success.”

"By nurturing a new generation of cleantech workers, we are strengthening our workforce and fostering a culture of innovation and resilience as we transition to renewable energy."

"Young people’s passion for turning the tide on climate change is an inspiration for us, and we're excited to bring their enthusiasm into our operations as interns at Veolia's water projects."

“The Cleantech Academy opens doors for these students, who might otherwise be overlooked merely because they come from communities that have been systemically underserved.”

"This is an example of how robust career pathways, alongside strong partnerships with employers, will transform the lives of young people, our local economy and in this case, the environment."

“Being able to serve students from under-resourced communities of color in all career paths, especially in the high-demand, high-growth cleantech industry, is critical in ensuring an equitable future.”

“SCE looks forward to working directly with students, including providing coaching and mentoring, as well as supporting the curriculum development. Doing so gets all of us closer to a cleaner tomorrow.”

“Sunrun is thrilled to be an employer partner investing in students in Los Angeles by providing green job opportunities. Preparing the next generation for careers in cleantech is a win-win for our communities and our climate future.”

"The Cleantech Academy will be pivotal in helping our talented students seize new careers as Los Angeles builds towards its net-zero future.“

The Cleantech Academy bridges the gap between the growth of the renewables sector and the workforce needed to match this growth, and Meruelo is proud to partner on this initiative in support of the nation’s net-zero goals.”

“Building a cleaner future will create even more need for a skilled, dedicated workforce. Cordoba is proud to partner with the Cleantech Academy to help develop that talent pipeline and invest in this next generation.”

"A career in cleantech can be a meaningful and rewarding path, and we are honored to help extend that opportunity to more students throughout Los Angeles.”

“When Los Angeles comes together, we all benefit. The Cleantech Academy is an example of how we can bring educators, employers and community organizations together to create life-changing opportunities for our students.”