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.
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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.
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Communities throughout California are suffering from poor air quality and a lack of resources to do something about it. A new partnership between high schools, community colleges, and the California Energy Commission aims to change that.

The Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center was awarded $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.

Eight high schools are participating in the project. Those confirmed thus far are:

• Artesia High School (Lakewood, CA – Los Angeles/Orange County region)
• Clovis West High School (Fresno, CA — Central Valley region)
• Davis High School (Davis, CA – Greater Sacramento region)
• Gunn High School (Palo Alto, CA – Bay Area region)
• Mira Mesa High School (San Diego, CA)
• Schurr High School (Montebello, CA – Los Angeles/Orange County region)
• Valley High School (Santa Ana, CA – Orange County region)
• Victor Valley High School (Victorville, CA – Inland Empire region)

Funded high school programs will 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.

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Communities throughout California are suffering from poor air quality and a lack of resources to do something about it. A new partnership between high schools, community colleges, and the California Energy Commission aims to change that.

The Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center was awarded $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. Read More →