Current State of Green Jobs in South Los Angeles 

Written by: Joelle Sabater, AmeriCorp VISTA 2023-24 

Introduction  

The mission of the South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) is to revitalize South Los Angeles by moving residents to economic opportunity. Serving as the backbone entity (e.g., convenor, facilitator, and advisor) for the South Los Angeles Promise Zone (SLA-PZ), SLATE-Z’s place-based and collaborative work lives at the intersection of economic revitalization and environmental sustainability.  

The Promise Zone designation is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is a 10-year designation, due to conclude in 2026. One of SLATE-Z's goals is to address the 10% unemployment rate of those living in the SLA-PZ and create 10,000 living wage jobs in 10-years (SLATE-Z, 2023). SLATE-Z's partners worked together to determine job sectors that would not just set up residents for a job, but for a career. 

The green infrastructure is a growing job industry throughout California. Federal, state and local governments are incentivizing efforts in green job development. In response to these incentives, SLATE-Z wants to connect the growing green job industry to South Los Angeles residents so they can have access to livable wage jobs that do not require extensive educational requirements. However, the unclear definition of green jobs makes it challenging in identifying green jobs and tracking growth within the green job sector.  

The purpose of this report is to contextualize the green jobs infrastructure in South Los Angeles. This report will highlight the policies that affect the green jobs landscape, the relevant data for the area, the green jobs infrastructure currently in place, and the opportunities of growth to promote green job development.  

Policies and Plans that Promote Green Job Development  

The US federal government has introduced several policies to address climate change, with a strong emphasis on creating green jobs. For example, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) invested 7.5 million industry wide jobs and more than $800 million in workforce development.  Similarly, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) also invested $9 million in clean energy jobs and $200 million in workforce development. (Climate Action Pathways for Schools, n.d.).  

California simultaneously released state-wide initiatives to address climate change. The California Climate Commitment states that California will invest $54 billion over five years in climate action and put efforts into addressing fossil fuel usage and pollution. The Climate Adaption Strategy is a plan that puts effort into protecting communities affected by climate change and protecting natural resources.  These state-wide efforts require an estimate of $4 million new jobs dedicated to climate change action, which will also need specialized training and upskilling (Climate Action Pathways for Schools, n.d.).  

In addition, Los Angeles County has released initiatives that address climate change. Los Angeles’s New Green Deal highlights focus areas such as environmental justice, electric vehicles and charging infrastructures, green housing development, energy efficiency, local water management, clean and healthy buildings and food systems to integrate sustainability throughout Los Angeles. Each focus area requires partnerships between private, public, and nonprofit entities to ensure that there are reinforcing incentives. In doing so, this plan promises to create 400,000 green jobs in Los Angeles by 2050 (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, n.d.).  

Los Angeles also released the Los Angeles Countywide Sustainability Plan, or the OurCounty plan. The OurCounty plan has twelve overarching goals to address climate change in Los Angeles County. The fourth goal envisions a “prosperous LA County that provides opportunities for all residents and businesses and supports the transition to a green economy” (Los Angeles County, 2019, page 76). One of the strategies of this goal is to job growth in the green economy with the goal target of placing 30,000 job placements from County workforce development programs (Los Angeles County, 2019).  

It is worth noting that the fourth goal aligns with SLATE-Z's mission to revitalize South Los Angeles by creating economic opportunities for its residents. Through SLATE-Z’s five levers of change—small business and entrepreneurship, transit, public safety, education, and jobs—the jobs lever aims to create 10,000 livable-wage jobs for South Los Angeles residents (SLATE-Z, 2023). This alignment of goals emphasizes the importance of investing in green jobs as a growing industry and ensuring training programs are in place for accessible transitions. 

The Need for Environmental Justice in South Los Angeles  

South Los Angeles has undergone decades of policies that actively harmed and disinvested wealth away from the community (SLATE-Z, 2023). The legacy of these policies has made South Los Angeles more vulnerable to the risks and damages from climate change. For instance, South Los Angeles residents are exposed to a higher quantity of poor air quality from industrial manufacturing and heavy traffic than the majority of its LA County counterparts, which increases the chances of asthma and lung cancer (NDSC). Additionally, the area suffers from extreme heat due to a lack of green spaces and an abundance of concrete, making it more prone to drought. Yet, during rainy seasons, inadequate drainage systems lead to flooding (Anderson, 2024).  Addressing the legacy of these policies requires a concerted effort from policy makers and community partners.  

People from marginalized communities also face significant barriers to gaining upward economic mobility. In 2019, 60% of the SLA-PZ’s population was considered extremely low or very low income. In 2021, 10% of residents in the South Los Angeles Promise Zone were unemployed. (SLATE-Z, 2023, p. 6-7). In terms of levels of education, only 16% of the population are over 25 and have a bachelor's degree.  The top sectors that hire South Los Angeles residents are in manufacturing, retail, health, construction, food and accommodation and transportation (SLATE-Z, 2023).  

Furthermore, Black and Latino/a/x workers are underrepresented in green careers that require a bachelor's degree or higher, which often pay better wages (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, n.d.). As a result, residents of South Los Angeles face barriers to upward economic mobility due to these educational requirements. Developing green jobs in regions such as South Los Angeles is crucial as this sector offers a variety of positions that do not require a bachelor’s degree and provide training for upward mobility in a career. 

Defining Green Jobs and Priority Areas in South Los Angeles  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines green jobs as "jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services benefiting the environment or conserving natural resources, as well as jobs where workers make production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources" (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d.). Experts from the green jobs workforce in South Los Angeles shared their insights on this definition. Kauleen Menard from the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator noted that green jobs should include new and emerging roles arising from the increased demand from green projects (Menard, 2024). Another expert suggested that the definition of green jobs should expand to include the manufacturing of green goods, such as solar panels and battery storage units (Dixon, 2024). There is an underlying understanding that green jobs maintain sustainability practices to not exhaust natural resources for future generations.  

Experts interviewed also highlighted several priority green job sectors in South Los Angeles. Jillian Gallard from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation emphasized the importance of improving transportation in the area: “We have a need for better transportation... that does not contribute to poor air quality and environmental ills that are concentrated in South Los Angeles” (Gallard, 2024). Other key areas include energy efficiency initiatives, such as installing electric vehicle chargers, solar panels, and induction stoves. Shameka Dixon from Grid Alternatives noted that solar installations are very prominent, along with the electrification of South Los Angeles. Additionally, planting trees and increasing greenery in South Los Angeles is a priority, because South Los Angeles suffers from the “urban heat island effect,” which occurs when excessive concrete and infrastructure combined with a lack of cooling spaces lead to higher temperatures (Anderson, 2024).

The broad definition outlined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a large space for interpretation. Subsequent state, county, and city reports have called for a refined definition (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, n.d.). SLATE-Z is continuing to find opportunities to work with community partners to understand their definition of a green job, while simultaneously increasing career opportunities for South Los Angeles residents. 

Educational Requirements and Opportunities of Green Jobs  

The diversity of green jobs creates multiple career paths across various educational levels: those with and without college degrees, technical certifications, or apprenticeships. Green jobs can be classified into core green jobs, such as civil engineers at solar companies or energy efficiency specialists (CAPS: The Future of Work is Green, page 5). Blue collar production and maintenance jobs, classified as “green collar” jobs, make up 40% of the opportunities. While 60% consist of operational roles that indirectly relate to green infrastructures (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, n.d., p. 21). As new technologies are invented, the quantity of those needed to teach, operate, and manage green infrastructure projects will increase. 

Green jobs have opportunities across educational levels. In fact, 75% of green jobs are accessible without a bachelor’s degree (LACI: Green Jobs in Los Angeles, n.d., p. 22). The table below illustrates some of the green occupations’ entry level education requirements and training.  

Because of the accessibility of green jobs, the median salary for green jobs is 15% higher than that of non-green jobs (Climate Action Pathways for Schools, n.d., p.14). Figure 1 illustrates the median differences between green and non-green jobs based on educational requirements: 

Because of the accessibility of green jobs, the median salary for green jobs is 15% higher than that of non-green jobs (Climate Action Pathways for Schools, n.d., p.14). Figure 2 illustrates the median differences between green and non-green jobs based on educational requirements: 

Case Studies: Workforce Development Initiatives in South Los Angeles 

In South Los Angeles, organizations across the private, public, education, and nonprofit sectors are already expanding and improving the work opportunities in green infrastructure. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation, for instance, is addressing the need for better, accessible and cleaner transportation in South Los Angeles. The department initiated several projects such as Universal Basic Mobility credit, Metro Bike Share, that provide more accessible methods of transportation (Gallard, 2024).  Through these projects, plenty of occupations and jobs emerged through these projects. Jillian Gallard emphasized that the “act of public transportation is green in itself” - meaning every job position including engineers, program managers and metro ambassadors all encompass green jobs (Gallard, 2024). 

Grid Alternatives is an example of an organization that offers workforce development opportunities in the green sector, specifically in solar installation, with an equity focus. Employment programs are offered to people from historically marginalized communities so that everyone has equitable access to the clean energy industry. Some of their key programs include Installation Training Programs, which are weekly sessions preparing individuals for entry-level solar installation positions. Another notable program is the SOLAR Corps Fellowship, an 11-month apprenticeship offering a range of opportunities in solar installation, operations and maintenance, project management, and solar design (Grid Alternatives, n.d.).  

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, or LACI, is one of the most innovative green sector organizations within the SLA-PZ because of its entrepreneurial approach to the green infrastructure. One of LACI’s most prominent programs is the Green Workforce Training Program. This program leads to additional fellowship opportunities for people in underrepresented and marginalized communities within a variety of green jobs (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, n.d.). Green jobs technical fellowships provide participants with professional development, technical training and certifications in technical green jobs. Their Incubation program also allows upcoming start-up companies in the green space to gain business development, pilot testing, marketing and other kinds of support to support start up. As a result, their entrepreneurial approach allows people to innovate, try on their start-up businesses, providing job opportunities to more people (Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, n.d.). 

Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) is continuing to create innovative educational pathways for technical careers, especially in the growing green jobs sector. LATTC continually partners with employers to ensure its curriculum prepares its students for the growing green economy. Most recently, SLATE-Z has partnered with LATTC and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to develop career pathways for historically underemployed and essential positions. Similar pathways can be initiated through already existing certificate programs such as electrical engineering, construction, and architecture by integrating sustainability practices into the curricula. (Cajayon, 2024). City colleges also offer noncredit courses: these noncredit courses can create free training opportunities for workers looking to further their expertise in green jobs. Noncredit courses can be used to prepare individuals who are looking to transition into the green jobs sectors (Cajayon, 2024). Partnerships between employers and educational institutions provide practical learning opportunities for students that can inspire green careers.  

Calls to Action for Green Jobs Workforce Development in South Los Angeles 

The efforts described in this report are only the beginning, with more work needed to address the challenges of developing a green workforce. One of the biggest challenges is limited financial resources. While many workforce training programs and projects receive funding through grants, there is no guarantee that these funds will continue once the grants expire (Cajayon, 2024). Furthermore, the issue with funding also extends to issues with the grant application itself.  For example, federal grant applications are often a long arduous process, making it difficult for small nonprofit organizations because they do not have the capacity to apply for them (Menard, 2024). To address these challenges, it is important to restructure the grant and funding system for increased awareness and better accessibility for organizations.  

Another challenge with developing the green jobs workforce is the lack of physical resources and qualified trainers for an emerging industry (Menard, 2024). Accessibility and addressing potential barriers such as transportation, location, costs, and educational barriers need to be prioritized. Due to the rapid growth of green jobs, workforce development programs often lack access to the latest equipment, which is essential because green technologies are constantly evolving. There is also a shortage of qualified trainers, as the fast pace of industry growth makes it difficult to find individuals with the necessary skills and experience.  

To address these challenges, it is important to identify the specific job roles that are in demand early in the process (Gallard, 2024). By doing this, workforce programs can better align their training with the current needs of the job market, helping to ensure that there is a balance between supply and demand for qualified workers. It is also important to consider the needs of employers and address them before the demand for a green workforce becomes urgent (Dixon, 2024).  Additionally, it is necessary to integrate individuals into the green jobs workforce while it remains largely unregulated. Once regulations are in place, it will be more difficult for those without the necessary educational qualifications to access these opportunities. 

Conclusion 

South Los Angeles is primed to be at the forefront of a climate-resilient economy by utilizing its academic, workforce, and entrepreneurial resources. Historical policies have created a need for environmental justice initiatives. Partners are uniting around clean transportation and career pipelines to ensure that South Los Angeles has the infrastructure to live, work, and play in a healthy environment. 

Green jobs continue to have a broad definition, creating a need for local partners to work together on elements of the green economy. SLATE-Z's partners, such as Grid Alternatives, LACI, and LATTC, are each tackling elements of the green economy. As the backbone for the SLA-PZ, SLATE-Z is committed to continuing to be a resource to convene partners focused on expanding career pathways for residents and students.  

References 

Anderson, A. (2024). Climate resilient streets: sharing research to understand SLATE-Z's potential role in advancing climate resilient streets in Los Angeles [PowerPoint slides].         
SLATE-Z Transit Workgroup, Los Angeles, CA. https://www.beautiful.ai/player/-O76VPaq9MTdTKZQh4Ce/Building-Climate-Resilient-Streets-in-South-Los-Angeles 
 
Cajayon, C. (2024, September 20). Interview about green jobs discussion [Personal interview]. 

Climate Action Pathways for Schools. (n.d.) The future of work is green: creating a sustainable workforce to advance California’s climate action agenda. Climate Action Pathways for Schools.  
https://www.climateactionpathways.org/building-a-green-economy  
 
Dixon, S. (2024, October 1). Interview about green jobs discussion [Personal interview]. 

Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). California green jobs guidebook. Environmental Defense Fund. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/california-green-jobs-guidebook-small-download.pdf  
 
Gallard, J. (2024, September 30). Interview about green jobs discussion [Personal interview]. 

Grid Alternatives. (n.d.). Workforce development. Grid Alternatives. https://gridalternatives.org/what-we-do/workforce-development 

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. (n.d.). Green jobs report: The impact of clean technology on workforce development (LACI Report). Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. https://laincubator.org/wp-content/uploads/LACI-GREEN-JOBS-REPORT.pdf 

Los Angeles County. (2019). Our county: A path toward a sustainable future (Final plan). Los Angeles County. https://ourcountyla.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/OurCounty-Final-Plan.pdf 
 
Menard, K. (2024, September 25). Interview about green jobs discussion [Personal interview]. 

Smart Growth America. (2022). Growing a clean economy: How clean energy jobs can drive a sustainable future (Final report). Smart Growth America. https://smartgrowthamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Growing-a-Clean-Economy_Final_7.22.22.pdf 

SLATE-Z. (2023). Policy brief: Export strategies for a sustainable economy. SLATE-Z. https://slatezdash-eada8a663a9245eedce7-endpoint.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SLATE-Z-Policy-Brief-Export.pdf 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Green jobs. U.S. Department of Labor.  https://www.bls.gov/green/#:~=Green%20jobs%20are%20either%3A%20Jobs%20in%20businesses%20that,resources.%20How%20BLS%20developed%20the%20green%20jobs%20definition.