California continues to lead the nation in the adoption of zero-emission transportation and fuel technologies. To meet the state’s need for a skilled workforce in this area, the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program is investing in workforce training and development, working with a variety of public and private partners. Investments include expanding current programs and developing new programs to support workers in California’s zero-emission vehicle and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure sectors. These investments support clean transportation, provide pathways to sustained clean-transportation job opportunities, and help achieve the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Zero-Emission Vehicle Workforce Training and Development Strategy
The Draft Zero-Emission Vehicle Workforce Training and Development Strategy defines the California Energy Commission (CEC)’s vision for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) workforce development goals, objectives, and activities funded by the Clean Transportation Program. It is intended to clarify the CEC's role in ZEV workforce development, recognize existing opportunities, identify workforce program objectives, and serve as a roadmap to building the career pathways necessary to support ZEVs and ZEV infrastructure.
The CEC welcomes public feedback regarding the Draft ZEV Workforce Training and Development Strategy and encourages the use of its electronic commenting system. Visit the e-commenting page for this docket 20-ALT-01. Enter your contact information and a subject title that describes your comment. Comments may be included in the “Comment Text” box or attached as a downloadable, searchable document in Microsoft® Word or Adobe® Acrobat®. The maximum file size allowed is 10 MB, please submit you comments by July 12, 2024.
- Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) Training and Certification — Employment Training Panel. Increase the number of EVITP certified state-licensed electricians to support the emerging and projected demand of publicly funded charging station infrastructure in California. Expected launch August/September 2024.
- Electric School Bus Training Project — Cerritos Community College District. Develop and deliver electric school bus training for school district maintenance technicians and drivers. Expected completion date March 2026. Project overview.
- Advanced Transportation and Logistics Initiative — San Diego Community College District. Administer funding for community college alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technology automotive programs to increase the number of technicians able to repair and maintain alternative fueled and zero emissions vehicles. The initial award provided funding for automotive programs at seven community colleges (Fresno City College, Golden West College, Los Medanos College, Mt. San Jacinto College, San Bernardino Valley College, Santa Ana College, and Southwestern College) and the Southern California Regional Transit Training Consortium. The agreement was amended in April 2022 to provide additional funding to develop zero-emission MDHD training programs at six additional community colleges (San Diego Miramar College, College of Alameda, Fresno City College, San Bernardino Valley College, Shasta College, and Santa Rosa College). Expected completion date September 2024.
- Transportation Electrification Training Project — California Conservation Corps. Develop curriculum for electric vehicle charging infrastructure construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and service. Lectures and hands on labs introduce electric vehicle technology, electrical and electric principals, batteries, motors, control systems, charging infrastructure, and OSHA safety. Training is available at Conservation Corps Energy Centers locations in Fresno, Norwalk, and Sacramento. Expected completion date June 2025.
IDEAL ZEV Workforce Pilot projects support ZEVs, ZEV infrastructure, and ZEV-related commercial technologies in California, with a focus on priority populations. Grant recipients were announced in February 2022, and include community colleges, local governments, and community-based organizations.
- South Valley ZEV Talent Pipeline Project — Kern Community College District. Develop EV charging curricula and training to address skills gap in EV charging installation, service, and replacement at the 21st Energy Center. Courses include:
- Introduction to Zero Emissions Vehicles and Zero Emissions Vehicle Careers
- Zero Emission Vehicles for Fleet Managers
- ZEVs for Electrical Contractors Workshop and ZEV for Nonprofits Workshop
- ZEV Charging Infrastructure Installation in partnership with the IBEW Kern County Electrical Apprenticeship training center, including Electrical Apprenticeship Readiness Training.
- EV Charger Maintenance & Repair (coming in 2024)
- Hydrogen Fueling infrastructure (coming in 2024)
- ZEV Service Technician Educational Pathway — Fresno City College. Develop a dual enrollment pathway program for the ZEV Service Technician Educational Pathway Project at three Fresno County high schools with existing automotive training program. Introduction to Zero Emission Vehicles course is designed to familiarize students with the construction, theory, and operation of Zero Emission, Battery Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles. Course curriculum includes high voltage safety, electric motors, power inverters, DC to DC converters, battery construction and technologies, regenerative braking, and HVAC systems. Funding includes Switch Lab EV equipment at Central East High School, Kerman High School, and Reedley High School.
- ZEV Training for San Joaquin County — Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin (HACSJ). Training for introductory ZEV careers and skill development. Stipends provided for EV Charging Installation and Maintenance and EV Customer Service courses held at San Joaquin Delta Community College and the Green Economy Lab in Stockton, California.
- Regional EVSE Workforce Training and Development Program — County of Los Angeles. Municipal electricians training for EV charger installation, operation, and service, including preparation for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) certification. Develop electric vehicle supply equipment curriculum and pilot it with cohorts from the California Conservation Corps and LA County employees. Final curriculum will be posted on the Advanced Transportation and Logistics web portal and be available for all community colleges in California to utilize.
- ZEV Training Program for Communities and Businesses — California State University, Long Beach. Develop ZEV Engineering Training Program, to include academic and laboratory training and provide tuition assistance. The 15-week curriculum includes introduction to zero emission vehicles, energy conversion and storage, electric vehicle fundamentals, motors and controllers in electric vehicles.
- ZEV Technology Training Program — Los Angeles Pierce College. Develop ZEV training programs and provide tuition assistance across three areas: automotive, electronics, and environmental. Provides tuition assistance and support.
- California ZEV Engineering Workforce Pilot — California State University, Los Angeles. Hydrogen refueling station design, instruction, and hands-on training and light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle fuel cell technology training.
- Next Electric Vehicle Military Service Pilot Project — Green Paradigm Consulting, Inc. Electric vehicle charging technician training for California veterans, disabled veterans, and military personnel.
- Greening the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Industry — West Oakland Job Resource Center. Partnership with the Northern California Teamsters Apprenticeship Training Program. Provides high-road training for on-/off-road ZEV technologies in the freight sector.
- Building a ZEV Workforce for Public and Private Fleets — Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association, Inc. Develop curricula and conduct technician training on ZEV and charging infrastructure for public and private fleets in and near the City of Long Beach.
- Statewide Online Electric Vehicle Training — The Latino Equity Advocacy and Policy Institute (LEAP) plans and conducts ZEV transit training workshops throughout the state.
- West Coast Center of Excellence in Zero-Emission Technology Training — Sunline Transit Agency. Develop and conduct electric vehicle and electric vehicle supply equipment assessment, training, and outreach.
- ZEV Sustainable Equitable Employment Destination - Community Resource Project, Inc. Classroom-based hands-on training for ZEV manufacturing, maintenance and servicing, charging installation, operation, and service, as well as ZEV driving and operation. The project was completed in March 2024. Final Report.
- Zero-Emission Vehicle High School Pilot Project - Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy (ATTE) Center at Cerritos College. Develop and implement a training program for high school students to increase their awareness of careers in clean transportation. The project was completed in December 2023, and a total of 3,750 students from 50 high schools participated in the program to build electric kit cars. Final Report
- California Sustainable Freight Workforce Training - California State University, Long Beach. Identify and prioritize workforce opportunities associated with the implementation of California’s Sustainable Freight Action Plan, including preparing career pathway maps and developing a Freight Workforce Development Pilot Project. Final Report.
- Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center - San Diego Miramar College. Programs with the Southern California Regional Transit Training Consortium and Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association. Over 160 technicians received alternative fuel vehicle technical training and 15 community colleges received funding through this project. The project was completed in March 2018. Final Report.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP)
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) certification is required for most projects installing electric vehicle chargers funded by the CEC. For more information see the CEC’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) Information webpage, or EVITP.org.