Keep Sierra Green Launches No-Cost EV Technician Training Cohorts to Strengthen Clean Energy Workforce Across the Sierra Foothills
As California continues its rapid transition toward electrified transportation and clean energy infrastructure, workforce readiness has emerged as one of the most critical factors in sustaining long-term progress. Addressing this need head-on, the Keep Sierra Green Program has announced the launch of no-cost Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) technician training cohorts aimed at individuals and employers throughout the Sierra Foothills region.
Presented by the Cal Asian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Calaveras Chamber of Commerce, the Keep Sierra Green initiative is now enrolling participants for upcoming cohorts designed to prepare residents for entry-level roles in the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy sectors. The program combines hands-on technical instruction, workforce readiness training, and industry-recognized coursework to help participants gain practical skills that align with real-world employer needs.
By removing financial barriers and delivering accessible, regionally focused training, Keep Sierra Green seeks to build a skilled local workforce capable of supporting California’s expanding EV charging network while strengthening economic resilience in rural and semi-rural communities across the Sierra Foothills.
Responding to California’s Growing EV Infrastructure Demand
California remains at the forefront of electric vehicle adoption in the United States, driven by ambitious climate policies, consumer demand, and public and private investment in charging infrastructure. As the number of EVs on the road increases, so does the need for trained technicians who can safely install, maintain, and service EV charging equipment.
EVSE technicians play a critical role in this ecosystem, ensuring charging stations are installed correctly, operate reliably, and meet evolving safety and regulatory standards. However, many regions—particularly outside major metropolitan areas—face workforce shortages that can slow infrastructure deployment and limit local participation in the clean energy economy.
The Keep Sierra Green Program was developed in response to this challenge. By delivering targeted EVSE technician training in the Sierra Foothills, the program helps ensure that local communities are not left behind as clean energy investments accelerate statewide.
A No-Cost, Hands-On Training Model
At the core of the Keep Sierra Green initiative is a three-week, no-cost training program designed to equip participants with foundational technical knowledge and job-ready skills. The training emphasizes practical, hands-on learning, allowing participants to gain real experience working with EV charging equipment and related systems.
Coursework focuses on several key areas essential for entry-level EVSE technician roles, including:
- Workplace and electrical safety fundamentals
- Technical basics of EV charging systems
- Installation concepts and equipment handling
- Introduction to codes, standards, and compliance requirements
- Workforce readiness and employability skills
Participants also receive preparation aligned with industry-recognized certifications commonly required or preferred by employers in the EV infrastructure and clean energy sectors. This approach ensures that graduates leave the program not only with new technical skills, but also with credentials that enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
Training is delivered in a cohort-based environment, fostering collaboration, peer learning, and instructor support. This structure helps participants build confidence while developing professional networks that can be valuable as they enter or advance within the workforce.
Expanding Access to Clean Energy Careers
One of the defining features of Keep Sierra Green is its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. The program is intentionally designed to serve individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and career stages, recognizing that clean energy workforce development must reach beyond traditional training pipelines.
Eligible participants include:
- Recent high school graduates exploring technical career paths
- Individuals seeking a career change or re-entry into the workforce
- Participants transitioning from rehabilitation or alternative education programs
- Skilled trade professionals looking to add EV-related certifications
- Retirees interested in returning to the workforce in a growing sector
- Workers displaced from other industries seeking stable, future-oriented employment
By welcoming participants with diverse experiences, the program helps broaden participation in the clean energy economy while creating new opportunities for economic mobility within the region.
“This program is about access and opportunity,” said a representative of the Keep Sierra Green initiative. “We’re meeting people where they are and providing hands-on, practical training that supports real career pathways while helping local employers and communities prepare for the future of clean energy.”
Supporting Employers and Regional Workforce Development
In addition to individual participants, Keep Sierra Green also offers value to local employers across the Sierra Foothills. Businesses may enroll eligible employees in the EVSE technician training cohorts at no cost, allowing them to upskill their workforce as part of continuing education, workforce development, or preparation for upcoming clean energy projects.
This employer-focused component addresses several challenges facing regional businesses, including:
- Difficulty recruiting qualified EV and clean energy technicians
- Rising demand for EV infrastructure installation and maintenance
- The need to align workforce skills with new technologies and regulations
- Workforce retention through professional development opportunities
By investing in employee training through Keep Sierra Green, employers can enhance internal capabilities while reducing reliance on external contractors or labor from outside the region. This approach supports local job creation and helps ensure that clean energy investments generate economic benefits within the communities they serve.
Regional Focus with Long-Term Impact
The Keep Sierra Green Program is rooted in regional partnerships and tailored to the unique needs of the Sierra Foothills. Training cohorts are designed to serve residents and workers in Calaveras, Amador, and Tuolumne counties, as well as nearby commuter communities that support regional economic activity.
By aligning training delivery with local labor markets, the program helps create a pipeline of job-ready technicians who can support EV infrastructure projects across public, commercial, and residential settings. This localized approach also reduces barriers related to travel, relocation, and cost—factors that often limit participation in technical training programs in rural and semi-rural areas.
Beyond immediate workforce needs, the program contributes to broader sustainability and resilience goals. A skilled local workforce helps accelerate EV adoption, reduce emissions, and support California’s long-term climate objectives, while also strengthening the economic foundation of Sierra Foothills communities.
Building Career Pathways in Clean Energy
While the training focuses on entry-level EVSE technician roles, Keep Sierra Green positions participants for long-term career growth within the clean energy sector. Skills developed through the program can serve as a stepping stone to advanced certifications, apprenticeships, or specialized roles in electrical work, renewable energy systems, or infrastructure maintenance.
By emphasizing real-world skills and recognized credentials, the program helps participants transition from training to employment with greater confidence and clarity. Graduates are better equipped to pursue opportunities with contractors, utilities, municipalities, charging network operators, and other organizations involved in California’s clean transportation ecosystem.
Enrollment and Program Commitment
Participation in the Keep Sierra Green EVSE technician training program is completely free, reflecting the program’s mission to eliminate financial barriers to clean energy education. All instruction is delivered in a supportive, structured environment designed to prioritize safety, inclusion, and real-world outcomes.
As enrollment opens for upcoming cohorts, program leaders encourage interested individuals and employers to take advantage of this opportunity to build skills aligned with one of the fastest-growing sectors in California’s economy.
Through collaboration, accessibility, and hands-on learning, Keep Sierra Green is helping ensure that the Sierra Foothills region is prepared not only to participate in the clean energy transition—but to lead it at the local level.
Source Link:https://www.pr.com/press-release/959862
