Building Clean Energy Careers: Mesa Energy Industry Mentorship for CAPS Interns in Porterville

Industry is critical to CAPS’ mission to bring real-world experience to California students, and EMCOR Services Mesa Energy (Mesa), a leading California-based provider of energy-efficient HVAC and automation solutions, has been pivotal in creating unique opportunities for real-world learning for interns. 

Since 2019, CAPS has been working alongside Porterville Unified School District to support student-led climate action and energy-saving initiatives. Through hands-on energy audits, high school interns identified ways schools could reduce electricity use, from upgrading HVAC systems to installing smart building automation.

With CAPS’ technical support and project management, the district secured funding to put those student recommendations into action—contributing directly to district goals to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030 while preparing students for careers in the green workforce. With this funding, Mesa began to implement HVAC and air quality upgrades across multiple Porterville campuses, including the installation of new HVAC systems at West Putnam Elementary School. 

Mesa also opened its doors to CAPS interns. Students toured Mesa’s prefabrication facility in Fresno to see HVAC units being assembled, visited a live job site at West Putnam Elementary, and even presented their own air filtration designs to the Meas team for feedback.

“We’re inspired by the students,” said Ronnie Gahagan, Business Development Manager at EMCOR Services Mesa Energy. “It’s exciting to show them what’s possible—well-paying, rewarding careers that can be learned on the job through hands-on experience, mentorship, or apprenticeships. That’s the path many of us took.”

Interns also heard from Mesa staff about their own career journeys—some starting as technicians and growing into engineering and leadership roles. Through this mentorship, students gained not just technical insights but a new understanding of what a future in the clean energy industry could look like.

CAPS continues to manage the district’s energy projects and recently added a part-time team member—a former Porterville student—to help oversee implementation on the ground. And thanks to the relationship with EMCOR Services Mesa Energy, this next phase of the work is not just reducing emissions—it’s launching careers.

Learn more at mesaenergy.com