In direct response to the wildfire crisis that threatens communities across the state of california, the foundation for california community colleges (fccc) will partner with industry and leading…

The Foundation for California Community Colleges will partner with industry and educational institutions to establish a statewide infrastructure for training in forest health and fire safety through a $42.9 million Project Grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. The grant was awarded on September 1, 2022 under the EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance program to support regions experiencing adverse economic changes.

Through the grant, FCC will work with employers including Mountain Enterprises, PG&E, and Arbor Works to recruit, train and support local communities to expand the emerging $39 billion forestry and fire safety industry's talent pool. FCC will partner with Hispanic-serving institutions, indigenous-led organizations and other local groups to help diversify the field and address projected shortages of thousands of workers for well-paying jobs such as fire and forestry crew leads, conservation scientists and U.S. Forest Service crew members. The four-year project aims to establish a statewide training infrastructure to support this growing sector and strengthen economic resiliency in California communities threatened by wildfires.

In direct response to the wildfire crisis that threatens communities across the state of california, the foundation for california community colleges (fccc) will partner with industry and leading educational institutions to scale a statewide infrastructure for training in forest health and fire safety. FCC will partner with employers from across the state including mountain enterprises, PG & e, and arbor works. The emerging forestry and fire safety sector has the potential to grow into a $39 billion industry, yet there are currently projected shortages of thousands of workers for relevant well-paying jobs with benefits, including but not limited to fire and forestry crew leads, conservation scientists, and U.S. Forest service crew members. By working to recruit, support and train local communities in partnership with multiple hispanic-serving institutions, indigenous-led partners and other local community-based organizations, the project will expand the industry's talent pool and diversify the field.