The American Climate Corps and the Green Workforce Are Broadly Favored by Young Americans – Once They Learn About Them

In September 2023, the Biden-Harris administration launched the American Climate Corps (ACC), a federally supported workforce training and service initiative that employs thousands of young Americans to tackle the climate crisis and its impacts.

This past summer, the White House swore in the first ACC class, with an estimated enrollment of over 9,000 members. The program eventually aims to expand to 20,000 people, with ACC members placed in key positions across nonprofits, local and state government agencies, Tribal communities, higher education institutions, and faith-based institutions nationwide. 

ACC members engage in a variety of projects, including managing forests to prevent wildfires, helping communities rebuild after extreme weather disasters, deploying clean energy infrastructure, and more. The program places young people in good-paying jobs with opportunities for job training, education benefits, and pathways to federal service.

However, despite the benefits that service year programs can bring to those just starting their careers, young people have limited awareness of the ACC, service year programs, and the green sector in general. To understand what knowledge gaps exist around the ACC and green sector programs, and to learn what aspects of the green workforce could appeal to young people, Data for Progress and Service Year Alliance conducted a mixed-methods research project, consisting of a national survey of adults ages 18-26 and three national focus groups, with a focus on the perspectives of young adults in BIPOC communities.