Advanced Transportation and Logistics Center to launch clean energy pre-apprenticeship program for justice-impacted students

Partnership aims to expand access, uplift communities, and prepare students to power California’s green economy

Cerritos College’s Advanced Transportation and Logistics (ATL) Center will offer a clean energy and construction pre-apprenticeship program for justice-impacted individuals and underserved youth across the region. The program is part of a new partnership with the GreenWorksLA Sustainable Jobs Consortium, a coalition of six organizations — Anchor of Hope International Ministries, Cerritos College ATL, Electric & Gas Industries Association, FCI Management, HeyCharge, and United Hood Nations Inc. — working to promote equitable access to sustainable careers.

The program will provide hands-on training in the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and heat pumps, essential tools in California’s transition to clean energy. Supported by a $195,614 California Jobs First Catalyst grant, the pre-apprenticeship aims to expand access to green career pathways for individuals impacted by the justice system and youth from historically underserved communities.

Cerritos College’s ATL Center is a recognized leader in clean transportation workforce training. With model programs and strong collaborations across utilities, manufacturers, and industry leaders, ATL customizes its offerings to meet workforce needs while promoting access for underrepresented groups. Its Women in EV Tech Workshops have already helped boost female participation in clean energy fields.

“Our students aren’t just learning about EV charging; they're becoming the next generation of clean-tech leaders,” said Jannet Malig, Director of ATL at Cerritos College and California’s statewide director of Advanced Transportation and Logistics since 2018. “Through our partnership with the GreenWorksLA Sustainable Jobs Consortium, we're creating life-changing opportunities and building a diverse, skilled workforce to power California’s sustainable future.”

The college’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond workforce development. On campus, Cerritos College is investing in green infrastructure, including multiple LEED-certified buildings, EV charging stations, and a 6.5-megawatt solar power system that will generate more than 85 percent of the campus’s electricity, saving over $16 million in energy costs over the next 20 years. These efforts reflect Cerritos College’s broader mission: to uplift students, champion equity, and create transformative pathways to personal and economic mobility through education.