The demand for careers in the green economy is growing rapidly, but many young people don’t know where they fit into this expanding field. While interest in climate and sustainability careers is high, opportunities to explore the wide range of available roles and learn how to prepare for them can be difficult to find.
To help close that gap, the Captain Planet Foundation partnered with Accenture to launch the Captain Planet Collective: A Green Economy Workforce Development Program. Between January and June 2026, the five-month program provided training and workforce development opportunities to more than 135 young professionals (ages 18–25) across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Throughout the program, participants explored the many career paths that make up the green economy, from environmental policy and organizational strategy to technical and scientific roles, education, and communications through learning modules and virtual events. In addition to learning about these fields, participants developed practical job-readiness skills, including professional communication, résumé and CV writing, job searching, and interview preparation. They also had access to Accenture’s Learning to Earning platform, which offered additional tools and resources to support their career journey.
The program wrapped up with a Mock Interview Finale on June 16 and 17, where participants were paired with professionals working across the green economy. They had the opportunity to share their experiences, skills, and career goals in a realistic interview setting while receiving thoughtful, real-time feedback on how to strengthen their interview skills and present themselves professionally. For some participants, this was their first professional interview.
The professionals who volunteered for this event represented a wide range of backgrounds across the green economy. Still, they all shared a commitment to supporting the next generation of climate leaders. By generously donating their time, they offered participants thoughtful feedback, practical career advice, and encouragement as they prepared to enter the workforce.
“Passion translates to grit and tenacity and persistence,” said Courtney Kimmel, Director of Conservation at Port Royal Sound Foundation. “Take a minute to think about why it is what you’re doing, and let that come through in your interview.”
The Mock Interview Finale wasn’t just a meaningful experience for participants, it also left a lasting impression on the professionals who volunteered their time.
“Meeting youth excited to enter the workforce, full of ideas for how to make the world a better place, reinvigorated my passion for climate justice,” said Tania Roa, Social Media & Content Associate for the Oxygen Project. “It reminded me that the sustainability movement is still growing, and it’s only getting stronger.”
Many participants entered the program knowing they wanted to make a difference through environmental work. Still, they were unsure what careers existed beyond a handful of familiar roles or how to get started.
Some learned new things about the green workforce and the opportunities. “One of my biggest takeaways from this program is that sustainability is not limited to environmental careers; it can be integrated into engineering, data analysis, project management, and public policy,”
One participant shared. “Moving forward, I plan to continue developing my technical skills while pursuing opportunities that allow me to contribute to sustainable development and create a positive social impact. This program reinforced my long-term goal of building a career where engineering, sustainability, and public service come together to help solve real-world challenges.”
Others found that, while they were on the right path, they needed to add to their skills and resume to reach their goals. “This course made me realize the technical skills I lack to work in my field, and I decided to follow a year-long program to acquire these technical skills daily and independently.”
The program helped participants build both knowledge and confidence. Of those who completed the full program, 100% reported a significant increase in their understanding of the green workforce and felt more confident pursuing opportunities in the field.
By combining industry knowledge, career preparation, and meaningful connections with professionals, the Captain Planet Collective is helping young people take the next step toward careers that will shape a more sustainable future.