The ZEV High School Pilot Project for the California Energy Commission sought to develop and implement a training program for high school students to increase their awareness of careers in clean transportation.
A focus of the project was to fund high schools in disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state. Applicants were asked if they were a primarily rural-serving or minority-serving institution as part of the high school application package. The contractor also obtained applicant schools reported free and reduced-price meals data.
Under the $3.5 million agreement, the contractor, in partnership with the California Energy Commission, approved 51 programs at 50 high schools in disadvantaged communities to participate in the pilot. As a result, zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) curriculum and hands-on projects, including the necessary tools and supplies, were added to automotive or other programs at each participating school. These courses introduce ZEV technical training to more than 3,750 students at a time and will continue to do so in the coming years.
About $55,000 of the agreement was provided for faculty training. Sixty-two instructors from participating high schools and their community college partners received hands-on training to learn how to build an electric vehicle including electric vehicle component training, basic electricity, wiring and mechanics.
As a result of the completed work, 70 percent of students surveyed indicated they would consider a career in clean fuel transportation because of taking the updated ZEV class, and 86 percent would recommend the class to others interested in the field. Because of the project implementation, additional post-high-school pathways were established between funded schools and local community colleges and schools have benefitted from strengthened relationships with industry, enhanced recruitment efforts, increased enrollment, and expanded campus support and involvement.
