City-Level Green Job Corps Launched to Train Workers for Climate Careers
PORTLAND, Ore. (November 19, 2025) — The City of Portland, in partnership with Portland Community College and the Oregon Clean Energy Employers Consortium, today announced the launch of the Portland Green Job Corps, a comprehensive workforce development initiative designed to train 500 unemployed and underemployed residents for high-demand careers in climate resilience and clean energy over the next 18 months.
The program launches amid unprecedented demand for green-skilled workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers rank among America’s fastest-growing occupations, with projected growth rates of 45% and 22% respectively between 2022 and 2032—far outpacing the national average. However, LinkedIn’s 2025 Climate Talent Stocktake reveals that global demand for green talent continues to outpace supply, creating a critical access gap for workers seeking entry into these fields. The Portland Green Job Corps directly addresses this disparity by providing no-cost training, industry-recognized certifications, and guaranteed job placement support.
The 10-month program combines classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training through an “earn-and-learn” model. Participants receive $18 per hour during training and choose from three specialized tracks: Renewable Energy Systems, focusing on solar installation and grid modernization; Urban Climate Infrastructure, covering green stormwater management and ecosystem restoration; and Energy-Efficient Building Operations, emphasizing HVAC systems and sustainable facilities maintenance. All trainees earn OSHA 10 safety certification, an Oregon Department of Environmental Quality pollution prevention credential, and track-specific technical certificates. The program is modeled after successful initiatives from Boston’s PowerCorpsBOS and Chicago’s Greencorps, which has graduated more than 750 workers since 1994. For detailed national green job projections, see the Department of Labor’s analysis at.
Targeted recruitment focuses on communities historically excluded from the green economy, including veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and residents of environmental justice neighborhoods. “This program removes barriers that have kept too many Portlanders from accessing living-wage climate careers,” said Portland Mayor Carmen Wheeler. “We’re not just training workers—we’re building family-sustaining pathways through comprehensive support services.” Participants receive childcare assistance, transportation vouchers, mental health counseling, and connection to affordable housing resources, addressing the stability challenges that often derail training completion.
The initiative is backed by $2 million from the city’s Climate Action Fund, $1 million from Pacific Northwest utility providers, and $500,000 in federal workforce development grants. Employer partners, including Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and McKinstry Construction, have committed to interviewing all graduates. Economic modeling projects the program will generate $12 million in lifetime earnings for participants and reduce citywide carbon emissions by 15,000 tons annually through completed conservation projects.
“Portland’s commitment to equity and climate action sets a national standard,” said Marcus Chen, Director of Workforce Development for the Portland Office of Sustainable Development. “We’re proving that environmental stewardship and economic opportunity are not competing priorities—they’re complementary forces that strengthen our entire community.”
The first cohort of 75 trainees begins January 15, 2026, with applications opening December 1. The program will scale to 150 participants per cohort across four cycles, prioritizing residents with household incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level.
About the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development
The Office of Sustainable Development leads Portland’s climate action and environmental justice initiatives, administering programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while advancing equitable economic opportunity. The office oversees the city’s Climate Action Fund, coordinates regional sustainability partnerships, and implements workforce strategies to ensure all residents benefit from the green transition.
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