The Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center was awarded an additional $1 million to increase career awareness in the clean fuels transportation field for high school students in underserved communities – regions impacted by poor air quality and those serving minority populations.

The original funding of $1 million allowed for 12 high schools across the state to offer clean fuels technology training to students, introduce opportunities to students who may not have considered a career in clean fuels transportation, and encourage interested students to matriculate into well-established community college programs to continue their studies.

The enthusiasm of the awarded high school teachers and their community college partners has been contagious, prompting additional schools to inquire about opportunities to also receive funds for their auto programs. Thanks to the generous augmentation by the Energy Commission, an additional 12 high schools will be funded, for a total of 24 schools.

Each high school will receive funding to purchase a Switch electric vehicle kit, which comes with curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms. High school teachers are also paired with community college instructors from nearby schools who will serve as partners throughout the process.

High school teachers and community college instructors also attend a comprehensive train-the-trainer workshop to receive the instruction they needed to help their students through the assembly process.

Through this project and the recently completed Community College Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Technology Training Enhancement Program the Advanced Transportation and Logistics (ATL) Sector of the California Community Colleges will continue its work to grow and strengthen clean fuel transportation programs that prepare new workers for careers in this field, and train incumbents on the latest technologies.

Click here for a listing of funded high schools.

Photo credit: Hyundai

Five Valley High School Automotive Academy students were among 50 students from throughout Orange County competing in the 26th annual Orange County Automobile Dealers Association Automotive Technology Competition at Hyundai Motor America in Fountain Valley.

The students’ participation was possible thanks to funds from the California Energy Commission. The competition is designed to recognize and cultivate students’ automotive expertise and attract other individuals with a passion or interest in the automotive industry. Students are also able to receive more $1,500 in scholarships.

“Automotive retail sales and service is a $12 billion industry in Orange County,” said OCADA Executive Director John Sackrison. “These bright students have a tremendous career opportunity, and we are excited to help share the wide range of options and growth for automotive technicians in the high-tech automotive profession.”

Each student completed individually and as a team representing Valley High School. Competition categories included shop safety, brakes, service information systems, and engine mechanical performance. Valley High School students Daniel Gutierrez placed 17th; Brianna Benitez placed 23rd; Alexis Vasquez placed 27th; and Noemy Grajeda placed 32nd. 

“The competition provides students the opportunity to apply what they learn in class in a real-life setting,” said Mary Tran, Executive Director of the High School Inc. Foundation for Valley High School. “It is a great learning opportunity for our students.”

The Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center was awarded an additional $1 million to increase career awareness in the clean fuels transportation field for high school students in underserved communities – regions impacted by poor air quality and those serving minority populations.

The original funding of $1 million allowed for 12 high schools across the state to offer clean fuels technology training to students, introduce opportunities to students who may not have considered a career in clean fuels transportation, and encourage interested students to matriculate into well-established community college programs to continue their studies.

The enthusiasm of the awarded high school teachers and their community college partners has been contagious, prompting additional schools to inquire about opportunities to also receive funds for their auto programs. Thanks to the generous augmentation by the Energy Commission, an additional 12 high schools will be funded, for a total of 24 schools. Read More →

Students who walk into Davis High School’s auto shop are not usually thinking about electric vehicles, according to automotive instructor Robert Thayer.

Thanks to Energy Commission funding and a partnership with American River College, that mindset is changing as students work on the school’s new Switch vehicle. Read More →

To date, 143 students from seven funded schools responded to a career interest survey developed by the Clean Fuels Technology program team.

Instructors shared the Google Form link with their automotive students who responded to three questions shown below with survey results:

1. What careers interest you?

• • 67 students (47%) are interested in a career in the automotive industry.

2. What strengths do you have that will help you succeed in your chosen career?

• • 30 students (21%) already have experience working with vehicles (identified as a strength).

3. How will this class help you move forward in your career path?

• • Teaches technical skills/hands-on experience: 60 students (42%).
  • Teaches soft skills (communication, teamwork, etc.): 20 students (14%).
  • Prepares students for career in automotive industry: 31 students (21%).

Over the past few years, Switch electric vehicles have transformed the way automotive education is taught at high schools across the state.

We asked a few high school instructors to reflect on some of their lessons learned from adopting Switch vehicles at their schools.

Robert Thayer at Davis High School said students love working on the vehicles and they are a great way to engage students if your school has the expertise and facilities to maintain them. He recommends painting or powder coating the parts before working with them. Read More →

With state grants given to less than thirty high schools in the state, auto shop students at two Victor Valley Union High School District schools are building fully-functional electric cars.

Students and teachers at Adelanto and Victor Valley high schools recently showed off the progress on their electric vehicles at presentations attended by officials from the California Energy Commission, VVUHSD, Victor Valley College and Cerritos College. Read More →

Clean transportation is a priority in Southern California, and students around the state are stepping up to the plate to work on the next generation of low- and zero-emission vehicles.

California Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott and staff visited four Southern California high schools October 16 and 17 to meet students who will soon be building a Switch Electric Vehicle purchased for each school through a grant from the Energy Commission. The project is a collaboration between the high schools and the Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center.

The Energy Commission provided funding to 12 high schools across the state to increase career awareness in the clean fuels transportation field –focusing on schools serving underserved communities, minority groups, and regions impacted by poor air quality.
Read More →

Miller and students with their recently delivered Switch Vehicle kit.

The School’s First Electric Vehicle has been a Game Changer

Adding a Switch vehicle to the automotive curriculum at Clovis West High School has been a game changer. It’s the school’s first electric vehicle and is helping students prepare for the rapidly-changing automotive job market.

Automotive instructor Mike Miller and Learning Director, Karen Boone lead the effort to purchase the vehicle as part of the Clean Fuels Transportation Pilot Career Opportunity Project, funded by the California Energy Commission in partnership with the Advanced Transportation & Logistics sector of the California Community Colleges and Cerritos Community College District.
Read More →