Hands-On Workforce Development Education: What a Study of 50 High School CTE Programs Discovered

The transition toward clean transportation in the United States is creating rapidly growing demand for technicians and advanced manufacturing roles.  Workforce development programs that understand electric vehicle systems and infrastructure are critical to meeting this need.  For many CTE-focused school districts and colleges, meeting that demand and preparing students for STEM-based careers is a challenge.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) High School Pilot Project offers a real-world example of what successful implementation can look like.  In partnership with the Advanced Transportation and Logistics Initiative (ATL), the pilot project helped schools integrate EV education into existing automotive and career technical education (CTE) programs.  This enabled students to learn while building a functioning electric vehicle.

Switch Vehicles provided the primary learning pathway throughout the project.

The CEC ZEV High School Pilot Program

The program was designed to provide California schools with modernized transportation and technical education programs, with a focus on electric vehicles. Rather than creating entirely new pathways from scratch, the initiative integrated EV education into existing automotive, engineering, manufacturing, and STEM programs already operating on participating campuses.

Students engaged in experiential learning, getting hands-on experience actively building, wiring, assembling, and troubleshooting electric vehicle systems as part of the curriculum.

Schools implemented the Switch LabTM EV capstone project as the foundation for instruction, allowing students to work directly with electrical systems, batteries, wiring, diagnostics, and mechanical assembly. The platform also included curriculum support and instructor training resources designed specifically for classroom implementation.

The program provided participating schools long-term benefits.  Because the EV systems were designed to be assembled, disassembled, and reused by future student groups, schools could extend the program’s instructional value across multiple academic years.

Key Findings From the Project

One of the strongest outcomes from the pilot was the scale of implementation.

49 of the 50 funded schools adopted the Switch Lab EV platform as part of their programs. The initiative reached an estimated 3,750 students annually through EV-focused coursework and capstone projects.  In addition, 62 instructors completed hands-on EV training workshops to support classroom implementation.

The project demonstrated the value of hands-on learning in student engagement.  Students consistently identified the practical, project-based aspects of the program as the most valuable part of the experience.  The hands-on aspect turned a passive learning experience into an active one as students collaborated in teams to solve problems, complete vehicle builds, and apply technical concepts in real-world scenarios.

Increasing Student Engagement

Instructors reported stronger classroom participation and enthusiasm compared to traditional automotive coursework.  For many schools, the EV projects became a visible centerpiece for STEM and CTE engagement.  Programs used completed EV builds during recruitment events, open houses, community showcases, and career fairs to attract interest from students and families.

Participating students developed interest in exploring new career pathways.  Survey data showed that 70% of students said they would consider a clean transportation career after participating in the class, while 86% said they would recommend the course to others interested in the field.

Expanding Partnerships

Schools reported students who completed the EV build pursued internships, technical training programs, and postsecondary automotive pathways connected to EV and hybrid technologies.  For example, one participant started an internship with a local Ford dealership, working on hybrid systems.  Another student is pursuing training to become a Toyota technician after participating in the EV curriculum.

Stories like these are common.

Some schools chose to expand dual enrollment agreements with community colleges, while others strengthened partnerships with local dealerships and transportation employers.

Showcasing Innovation and Recruiting Students

Beyond workforce outcomes, the project increased visibility for participating programs. Schools used the EV platforms to showcase innovation in technical education and position their automotive pathways as forward-looking programs.

For administrators, this became an important recruiting and community engagement tool in addition to an instructional resource.  Multiple schools participating in the study reported increased enrollment after the initial vehicle build was shown off to their community.

Results by the Numbers

• 49 of 50 schools integrated the Switch Lab EV program

• 62 instructors trained

• 3,750 students estimated to be impacted annually

• 70% said they would consider a clean fuel transportation career

• 86%  said they would recommend the class to others.

Key Takeaways

The pilot project highlights several important opportunities for school districts and colleges exploring EV education pathways.

Many schools may recognize the need for this hands-on instruction, but don’t have the training, resources or projects on hand to implement the program on their own.  Switch Vehicles’ curriculum solves that by providing everything schools need to integrate EV education into existing automotive, engineering, manufacturing, and STEM pathways.  Switch Vehicles provides both the physical components and instructor training, enabling fully integrated workforce development.

The project demonstrates the value of aligning education with regional workforce demand.  Programs that combine hands-on learning with employer partnerships create stronger career pathways for students, helping schools strengthen relationships with local industry.

The initiative highlights the importance of building sustainable programs rather than one-time projects.  Because all of Switch’s EV building blocks are reusable, institutions can provide students with educational opportunities for a decade or longer.

Applying the Lessons

The CEC pilot shows that the best educational outcomes are in programs that combine hands-on learning, instructor preparation, curriculum support, and workforce alignment into a cohesive pathway.  It also demonstrates the value of a ZEV project in school promotion, recruitment, and community engagement.

For school districts and colleges exploring how to modernize transportation education, the project offers a clear implementation model.  It shows that EV curriculum can increase engagement, strengthen pathways, expand industry partnerships, and improve visibility when implemented strategically within existing CTE and STEM programs.

Switch Vehicles helps schools develop clean transportation education using hands-on experience.  Our labs and projects connect technical learning with real workforce opportunities.  Schools looking to build scalable EV pathways can apply these lessons to create their own programs.

Get in touch with Switch Vehicles today to learn about grant-ready, district-level implementation plans for your school.  We will help you determine the right combination of Switch Lab Electric Vehicles, curriculum, instructor training, classroom labs, and tools & equipment needed to meet your program’s goals.