Los Angeles  - California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has launched a new environmental jobs program for at-risk young adults, saying that the training programme could fight poverty and pollution at the same time.

Schwarzenegger made the announcement Monday night saying that he would use 10 million dollars of the federal economic stimulus to help fund the programme with a further 10 million dollars from public-private partnerships. The program would be open to some 20,000 young adults between the age of 16 and 24 from underprivileged areas.

"Green jobs are exactly what our economy and environment need right now - and the California Green Corps targets that need while helping at-risk young adults realize a brighter future," Schwarzenegger said.

The first phase is expected to consist of a 20-month pilot program reaching at least 1,000 of California's at-risk young adults, Schwarzenegger said.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican, said his plans for job creation in California are in step with those of the Obama administration.

"President Obama and I share similar priorities right now when it comes to helping the economy rebound and creating a greener California and America," said the governor. "In California we will utilize federal economic stimulus funds and public-private partnerships to help stimulate our economy while initiating actions to improve our environment." (dpa)