SANTA ANA, Calif. (September 16, 2026) – Goodwill of Orange County (Goodwill OC) recently celebrated the official grand opening of its new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Training Lab and the graduation of the program’s inaugural cohort, marking a major milestone in workforce development, clean energy job creation, and economic opportunity in Orange County. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and graduation were held Aug. 31 at the new training facility located at 2250 S. Yale St. in Santa Ana.
The EVSE Training Program is a hands-on workforce development initiative designed to prepare individuals for high-demand careers in the installation, commissioning, maintenance and service of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The program was developed to address a growing workforce gap as California accelerates the expansion of EV charging networks and clean transportation systems.
The inaugural graduating class of 10 participants completed intensive technical training that included hands-on experience with EV charging systems as well as industry-recognized certifications, including OSHA-10, CPR and EVSE competencies. The program is designed to connect graduates directly with employment opportunities in the rapidly expanding clean energy sector. From the first cohort, five have already been placed into EV employment.
The new EVSE Training Lab in Santa Ana provides a dedicated space for hands-on learning, innovation and workforce development, giving participants access to the real-world skills needed to succeed in one of California’s fastest-growing industries. The Aug. 31 celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, recognition of community and industry partners, and a graduation ceremony honoring the program’s first cohort.
“This program represents everything Goodwill OC strives to achieve through our mission,” said Nicole Suydam, President and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County. “For more than 100 years, we have helped people build skills, gain confidence and create pathways to meaningful employment. The EVSE Training Program allows us to connect Orange County residents to emerging careers in the clean energy economy while helping meet a growing workforce need. It is incredibly exciting to see our first graduates step into careers that will benefit their families, strengthen our local economy and support a more sustainable future for our community.”
As California continues its transition to clean transportation, demand for skilled EV infrastructure technicians continues to grow. Goodwill OC developed the EVSE program to ensure local job seekers have access to training and career opportunities within this expanding industry, while helping employers build a qualified workforce capable of supporting the state’s clean energy goals. The program serves unemployed and underemployed adults, veterans, justice-impacted individuals, young adults and workers seeking to transition into clean energy careers.
The EVSE Training Program was made possible through the support and collaboration of numerous public and private partners, including Goodwill Industries International, Accenture, Bank of America, Barclays, the U.S. Department of Labor, Everblue, General Motors, Google, GRID Alternatives, Lowe’s Foundation, Orange County Business Council, Smarter Help, Sustain Southern California and Truist Foundation. These organizations have played an important role in helping Goodwill OC expand workforce opportunities in the clean technology sector.
“The ribbon cutting marked more than the opening of a training lab,” Suydam added. “It is the launch of a new workforce pathway for Orange County residents and a powerful example of what can happen when industry, education and nonprofit organizations work together to create opportunity.”
The next EVSE Training Cohort begins on September 28 and is actively enrolling participants. More information, including the application form, can be found here: https://www.ocgoodwill.org/evse-technician-training-program.
About Goodwill of Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County helps people achieve their goals through a journey of personal support, work experience and career development. Celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2024, Goodwill has connected hundreds of thousands of individuals to opportunity through quality training and education programs, supportive employment services for people with developmental and physical disabilities, on-site job coaching, community integration programs, veteran employment services, and more. As a nonprofit employment social enterprise, Goodwill operates a collection of 23 retail venues throughout Orange County, including five OC Goodwill Boutiques and its e-commerce platform ShopGoodwill.com, to support these transformative programs and services. To learn more about Goodwill of Orange County, visit ocgoodwill.org.
