On June 12, UNITE-LA celebrated the first cohort of the Avantus Cleantech Career Academy. Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, CEO & Founder of Avantus, and Alysia Bell, President of UNITE-LA, presented 61 participants with certificates of completion and highlighted the $1,000 scholarship students are eligible to receive to pursue higher education. They also presented one really large $75,000 check!

The future cleantech leaders completed the 12-week paid, work-based program, learning about the impacts of climate change and environmental injustices within their communities. Students learned to:

1. Discover the impacts of climate change and environmental injustices within their communities.
2. Explain the benefits, costs and cleantech companies/products connected to different renewable energy sources (hydrogen, solar, hydropower, wind).
3. Conduct a landscape analysis with regards to energy and the environment in their communities.
4. Describe the role of business, sales and construction in the cleantech industry.
5. Create a sales plan/pitch for a cleantech company and product in the L.A. region.
6. Articulate work experience in the Avantus Academy to relevant skills that they will take to future internships/jobs in cleantech.

The highlight of the evening was the student panel where participants reflected on the impact of their Avantus experience. The evening ended with an apple cider toast to the graduates, a dessert bar and lots of photo opportunities. Congratulations to UNITE-LA's Inaugural Avantus Cleantech Career Academy Class!