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exponentially over the past year and they don ’ t see that that is going to slow down .”

Not everyone who trains to work in clean energy does so because of their eco-consciousness . These are , simply put , decent careers . “ A green job , per se , isn ’ t the driver ,” Reynaud says . “ It ’ s really : Is it a good job ? Does it pay well ? Does it have career advancement opportunities ?”

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District is generating a solar workforce through its Energy Career Pathways program . For this program , SMUD and GRID Alternatives North Valley ( with a location in Sacramento ) offer a free solar certificate program , particularly for people from underserved communities . Trainees earn a stipend and get a hands-on education about solar , battery and electric vehicle charger installations .

In the program ’ s first year in 2020 , 25 students completed the training and 12 were placed in jobs as a result , according to a SMUD spokesperson . By then partnering with GRID Alternatives , the program expanded last year to include 93 participants ; 28 job placements resulted . This year , 70 people are enrolled , again expected to result in at least 28 jobs .

Local talent is easy to find

Beyond the obvious clean energy jobs , plenty of other careers are critical in climate mitigation and adaptation . The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a growing need this decade for environmental scientists , soil and plant scientists , atmospheric and space scientists , and hydrologists , among other eco-friendly professions .

Many of these future professionals are being trained at UC Davis . For instance , the university educates soil scientists who help farmers understand how to store more carbon in soil , including through cover crops , compost or low tillage . Additionally , healthy soil helps protect plants against extreme weather events being brought on by climate change . Universitytrained plant scientists contribute to

adaptation by developing plant breeds that better withstand drought and disease and produce higher yields . These students are surrounded by ag tech companies eager to hire employees to help create more sustainable agriculture worldwide .

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine ’ s One Health Institute leads the Rx One Health Field Institute , an experiential summer course for graduate students and early-career professionals working across disciplines , such as ecosystem dynamics , food security , infectious disease , and social and cultural determinants of health , according to Dr . Jennie Lane , a veterinarian and program manager of the field institute . One Health recognizes the interconnectedness of the health of people , animals , plants and their environment .

“ The course itself helps them learn how to apply their own professional skill sets … to work together and across sectors to address some of society ’ s larger

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