Driving Transportation Equity and Student Leadership in Twin Rivers Unified School District

A national trailblazer in electric vehicles and zero-emission transportation, Twin Rivers Unified School District, located in the Sacramento metropolitan area, is doubling down on its commitment to contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future by launching an innovative workforce development internship program in partnership with CAPS. The project focuses on transformative emission reduction strategies and will showcase a comprehensive array of zero-emission mobility solutions for schools throughout California, including zero-emission school buses with managed charging and a solar installation, zero-emission maintenance and landscape equipment, and zero-emission van pool and car-sharing programs.

The workforce development program will evolve TRUSD’s automotive pathway and green diesel courses. Additionally, CAPS is leading a complementary paid internship program for students focusing on transportation equity and ensuring that every student has a zero-emission way to get to school. Students in the program will help assess equity gaps, work to increase ridership, and promote the district's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) and clean air goals.

“Our interns will be surveying the community to better understand transportation needs, raise awareness about the project, and educate on the benefits of clean transportation for the greater community,” says Juli Miller, CAPS’ TRUSD program manager. “Interns will calculate emission reductions from the shift to ZEVs and perform cost-savings analyses.”

Green Workforce Training Opportunities to Meet California’s Sustainability Goals

Thanks to ambitious state initiatives such as the California ZEV (Zero-Emission Vehicle) Market Development Strategy, California will need more than 4 million new green jobs in the next 30 years to meet its climate goals and transition to a sustainable economy, as highlighted in the report, "Driving the Future: Accelerating the Green Transportation Workforce," developed by CAPS in partnership with Accenture and Rivian. With a significant portion of those jobs tied to the growing ZEV industry, California's Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can realize significant opportunities by incorporating more ZEV and EV learning content into high school curricula. 

While trade jobs related to transportation have historically been undervalued, these roles offer competitive salaries, stable career paths, and the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities. By focusing on this area, initiatives like the one at Twin Rivers can educate students about the importance of these careers, address skills shortages, and provide alternative pathways to rewarding professions through CTE programs and local partnerships. (Note: CAPS has developed seven learning modules to incorporate zero-emission and electric vehicle learning content into high school education. Get them here.)

Students are attracted to the CAPS program because of its specific job-training opportunities and the broader implications of learning about and mitigating climate change. Intern Geovanni Vaca, a TRUSD high school junior, says she joined the program to gain an increased understanding of zero-emission vehicles and how fossil fuels affect the ecosystem, while Serenity Lor, also a TRUSD junior, joined to learn more broadly about why climate change is important globally and politically.

“Interns at TRUSD will gain exposure to diverse green jobs, networks of green professionals, and valuable skillsets through this program,” Miller says. “Each session, they see a snapshot of a new career in clean transportation, which many have never even heard of, let alone considered. Their work each week introduces them to concepts and skills they can now list on their resumes to give them a competitive advantage in the professional world. These interns are nearing graduation, so any experience gives them a better idea of where they want to go. We are helping them answer that question and offering guidance on how to get there.”

A Community of Collaboration and Student Empowerment 

A critical component of the CAPS internship program is collaboration with industry and community partners, which provides students with real-world experience and builds a foundation for their professional networks. The Twin Rivers program’s robust set of community partners includes: Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; Fairway EV - Tropos; Enterprise Van; FordPro; Breathe California; Hilmar Rentals; Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD); InCharge Energy; Climatec; Prospect Silicon Valley; and BYD.

“Industry partners are key to enhancing students' career readiness by providing enriching, real-world opportunities and resources,” says CAPS Executive Director Kirk Anne Taylor. “These connections often involve hands-on experiences—such as site tours, career panels, and feedback on projects—and exposure to current industry practices, giving students a clearer understanding of potential career paths. This practical experience better prepares students for college and career training by developing relevant skills and fostering deeper engagement in their chosen field. Ultimately, these interactions provide students with invaluable exposure to professional roles, reinforcing the idea that they can achieve their ambitions; as the adage goes, 'If you can see it, you can be it.’”

The Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project grant is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities.