Impact
Climate Workforce Development
The Boston Hub's Climate Climate Workforce Development project is an ongoing Protect the Planet initiative that seeks to understand the factors that influence youth success and participation in the local and global climate workforce. The project team is collaborating with policymakers, education experts, and workforce program designers to accelerate pathways that inspire greater interest in climate careers among youth, setting young people on a path that will lead them to actualize their climate workforce career.
This program is centered around two key themes:
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Catalyzing Interest: What are the career journeys of professionals already working in climate? What features of climate workforce development programs are successful, and how do we know?
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Understanding Need: What types of jobs exist (now and in the future), what qualifications do they require?
Centering the local community's efforts on these two pillars has led to material traction in the Hub's Theory of Change, with expectations for even more accelerated progress in the upcoming curatorship year.
Climate Workforce Development Theory of Change:
Long-Term Goals:
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Materially accelerate the development of a sustainable, skilled, and diverse workforce equipped to meet the demands of the global climate action agenda.
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Significantly increase program stakeholders' ability to reduce global carbon emissions through innovative climate solutions and educational programs.
Outcomes:
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Increased awareness and interest among youth in climate change issues and climate-related careers.
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Enhanced capacity of local and global institutions to provide climate change education and career guidance.
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Higher enrollment and completion rates in climate-related educational programs and workforce training initiatives.
Outputs:
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Events with industry leaders, focusing on real-world insights into climate careers.
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A curated collection of digital educational materials and resources related to climate and workforce development.
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Training and up-skilling resources aimed at equipping participants with specific skills and knowledge for the climate sector.
Activities:
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Programming centered around community engagement and interest in climate action and careers.
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Organizing "Meet the Leader" and educational events where professionals share their experiences and knowledge, providing inspiration and learning opportunities.
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Developing and implementing training pathways focused on skills necessary for success in the climate workforce, leveraging online tools for broad access.
Indicators:
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Number of participants at events, reflecting community engagement.
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Training program completion rates, gauging curriculum effectiveness.
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Number of engaged long-term volunteers, indicating community involvement.
Causal Pathways:
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Awareness and Access: By increasing awareness and providing access to information on climate careers, youth interest in the sector grows.
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Educational Support: With climate change integrated into curricula and career guidance, students gain the knowledge and skills needed for climate careers.
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Workforce Development: As more individuals enter the climate workforce, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, the sector grows stronger, driving innovation and contributing to global climate goals.
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