Agenda & Meeting Summary: April 3, 2025, Workgroup Meeting

Agenda

  • Introductions
  • Information about related projects
    • CALSTART:  eTruc ZEV Training Finder
    • Foundation for Community Colleges:  CARB funded Landscape analysis of ZEV-related training programs
    • UCLA Labor Center: Workforce analysis for chargers
  • Next steps

Attendees: Amanda Mattes (CalEPA), Andrea Slater (UCLA Labor Center), Annalise Czerny (CalITP), Candace O'Melia (GM), Christopher Chavez (Coalition for Clean Air), Cristina Marquez (IBEW), Erin Wimberly (CALSTART), Gennet Paauwe (CARB), George Payba (LADWP), Giovanna Escamilla (CALSTART), Gloria Huerta (MioCar), Graciela Garcia (CARB), Heather Hickerson (GO-Biz), Jana McKinny (CEC), Jason Crow (CARB), Jill Leufgen (Foundation for California Community Colleges), Katherine Dillon (CARB), Lauri Walker (Center for Sustainable Energy), Lisa Chiladakis (CARB), Mabel Aceves Lopez (CEC), Mars Wu (Greenlining), Maurissa Brown (Greenlining), Natalie Reavey (CARB), Ross Good (Stellantis), Sam Gregor (CARB), Scott Butckovitz (Community Housing and Development Corp.), Stephanie Parent (CARB), Taylor Sieben (GRID Alternatives), Tom Knox (ValleyCAN), Valeria Cantor (GO-Biz)

Introduction to the potential ZEV Training Catalog Project

  • Staff introduced the idea of a ZEV training catalog project, which would aim to identify and catalog existing ZEV workforce training programs in California. The goal would be to create a user-friendly, public-facing dashboard that highlights critical information about these programs.
  • The task force then heard from three different presenters on this type of cataloging effort already occurring in other venues to learn more about what (if any) gaps might be filled with a new project.

CALSTART Presentation on the eTRUC ZEV Training Hub

  • The eTRUC ZEV Training Hub aims to support the growth of the ZEV job market.
  • The updated tool provides a dynamic and interactive experience for users seeking ZEV workforce development opportunities.
  • The training hub includes training programs, certifications, and community and university-level degrees.
  • The tool currently lists about 60 training programs and plans to develop a standalone job board feature.

Discussion and Questions

  • There were questions about how the sited is promoted and how programs get on the list. The website is promoted through eTruc channels and users can submit their programs through the website.
  • There were concerns about the lack of minimum requirements for programs on the website. There was clarification that some programs have prerequisites, but many only require a high school diploma or equivalent.

Foundation for California Community College Landscape Analysis

  • The Foundation for California Community Colleges has a project to assess ZEV-related training programs at California community colleges.
  • The project aims to understand the extent to which these programs align with projected workforce needs.
  • The foundation is uniquely positioned to evaluate opportunities to enhance alignment between community college programming and evolving workforce needs.
  • The final report is due in the summer of 2026 and will include an analysis of existing programs and recommendations for improvement.

UCLA Labor Center's Workforce Assessment

  • UCLA Labor Center's workforce assessment study on job creation and fair access opportunities in the ZEV charging infrastructure industry.
  • The study will focus on installation and maintenance occupations and aim to create a roadmap for job advancement.
  • The assessment will include a landscape analysis of existing training programs and identify gaps in the workforce.
  • The study will also develop regional pathways to quality employment and a statewide plan to match training programs with regional needs.
  • The final report is due mid-2026

Next Steps

  • Most participants expressed general interest in the project and were open to contributing on a recurring basis, preferring a monthly meeting rather than a more frequent meeting cadence.
  • The meeting concluded with a commitment to schedule a follow-up conversation on how to pursue this type of a project and how to ensure there is no duplication of existing efforts.