The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering $60 million to create jobs that address climate change and boost local resilience. The initiative aims to train workers for quality positions while prioritizing historically underserved communities and promoting equity.
“A climate-resilient nation requires a climate-ready workforce,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a release by the administration. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re launching the Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative to provide major funding and assistance to qualified public, private and other organizations so they can train workers and help them find good paying jobs that will strengthen climate resilience and enhance their local economies.”
The Climate Ready Workforce for the Coastal States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative is a workforce-funding agreement to provide green jobs, thanks to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, including $50 million for competitive funding and $10 million for technical assistance. The funds will support partnerships led by qualified organizations to train and place workers in quality jobs related to climate resilience.
NOAA aims to grant between 10-20 awards ranging from $500,000-$10 million, the report stated. NOAA seeks qualified state, tribal, territorial and local governments, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations in coastal states or territories to lead partnerships to train and place workers in quality jobs that enhance climate resilience.
NOAA also stressed the importance of addressing the needs of coastal and Great Lakes communities in tackling climate change challenges.
“There’s a major need across coastal and Great Lakes communities for workers who are ready to address the challenges of climate change,” Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D., director of the National Sea Grant College Program, said in the release. “Sea Grant’s innovative approach of providing science solutions to communities, along with the Climate Program Office’s support of high-priority climate science will help tailor workforce solutions to address community needs.”
The initiative will prioritize historically underserved communities and individuals, aligning with President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, the release added, providing relief to "those who are the most vulnerable to and will be the most adversely affected by climate change and inequitable actions because of systemic and historical socioeconomic disparities," NOAA said.
Technical assistance will be available to applicants and recipients through NOAA's Climate Program Office, Office for Coastal Management, National Sea Grant Office, and their partners, the release stated.
Letters of intent are required and due by November 30, with applications due by February 13, 2024, according to the release.
