Mayors’ green building initiatives fuel job growth in the United States

“In the shelter I was staying at – that’s where I saw the flyer that said in big bold letters: Build A Life That Works”, said Ayesca Machado. She is one of hundreds of people who have participated in Boston’s Building Pathways programme, an initiative that trains and connects traditionally underserved communities with opportunities in the building and construction industry. “When I read and saw that they were actually recruiting women for construction, I was very happy.”  

As the green economy gains momentum across the United States and the world, cities are seeing an increasing need – and opportunity- to train a workforce ready to help deliver the city’s climate, equity, and economic development goals. 

In Seattle, Yaharia Garcia joined the Green New Deal apprenticeship programme. “I didn’t go to college and I wanted a job that helped people”, Yaharia shared. “I got enrolled and fell in love with carpentry… Now, I get to build schools for kids. The school we’re building has solar panels – so it’s better for the environment”.

Yaharia’s experience in Seattle’s Green New Deal programme and Ayesca’s in Boston’s Buildings Pathway are just some of the examples highlighted in a new report from C40 Cities and the National League of Cities on how cities can build a workforce to meet the anticipated need for building retrofit programmes in the coming years. 

Across the country, cities have launched innovative programmes to support a climate-friendly building boom. To improve safety for residents, reduce energy bills, and meet pollution reduction goals, cities are increasingly looking to retrofit existing buildings to remove fossil fuels and use less energy. These projects, such as improving insulation, installing new windows, and replacing heating and cooling systems, require a skilled workforce with unique knowledge, creating a pathway for new jobs in the green construction industry.

Mayors are working with community colleges, community groups, labour unions, and nonprofits to train workers in their cities for the new green economy, and are ensuring that the jobs created are well-paying and accessible to underrepresented communities. Strategies city leaders are taking include leading by example by retrofitting municipal buildings, launching job training and apprenticeship programmes, engaging with marginalised communities to remove barriers to job access, and shaping local plans and policies to support the workforce needs.  

Research has shown that there has been a 50% increase in green jobs since 2019 in the US, and the Inflation Reduction Act alone is projected to create an average of 912,000 jobs per year over the next decade. d. According to a 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, every state saw an increase in clean energy jobs, a sector which grew faster than overall U.S. employment. At the same time, the Department of Energy also found that 62% of employers in the energy sector struggle to hire workers — especially for construction positions.

A new report, from C40 and the National League of Cities, How U.S. cities can grow the workforce needed for building retrofits, helps cities meet the moment and connect residents with jobs to help the local built environment be healthier, safer, more energy efficient, and more climate-friendly. The report identified the range of jobs in building retrofits, including construction, electricians, solar panel installers, heating and cooling mechanics, and more. 

Laura Jay, Regional Director for North America at C40 Cities, said: “The opportunities created by the green economy for job growth are immense. Retrofitting existing buildings improves lives for residents, reduces carbon emissions, and creates economic prosperity for workers – especially those who have been historically marginalised in the sector. It’s exciting to see mayors across the country launching programmes that ensure good, green jobs in their cities. Cities are taking advantage of federal funding, and taking action to turn the promise of a green economy into reality.”  

David Sander, President of the National League of Cities, said: “Cities are laboratories for innovation in the United States. Local leaders are working hard every day to find new ways to meet the needs of their communities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life. Supporting the growth of the building retrofit industry – and ensuring it is diverse, accessible, and pays good wages – will help communities large and small prepare for the challenges of the future.”:

Access the report