RCCD Workforce & Economic Development Staff Participate in Karma Automotive and CARB Workforce Development Events

01/09/2025

On December 10, Riverside Community College District (RCCD) Workforce & Economic Development staff joined educators, employers, and industry leaders at Karma Automotive and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) facilities for a dynamic day focused on advancing workforce development in Electric Vehicles (EV), Hybrids, Battery Technology, and alternative energy.

The event, facilitated in partnership with ConnectED: The National Center for College and Career, brought together educators from community colleges and K-12 schools, workforce professionals, and employer partners in the transportation, engineering, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Approximately 50 attendees, including faculty and management from Riverside City College’s Automotive Apprenticeship Program and the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, participated.

Event Highlights:

• • • Welcome Remarks: Marques McCammon, President and CEO of Karma Automotive, and representatives from CARB set the tone for a day of collaboration and innovation.
    • Tours: Attendees explored the Karma Innovation and Customization Center (KICC) in Moreno Valley and CARB facilities in Riverside.
    • Panel Discussions: Industry leaders, including Marques McCammon, Dave Johnson (President of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence), and Greg Quirin (CTE Automotive Educator), addressed industry trends, workforce training needs, and the role of education in responding to these changes.
    • Student Perspectives: Apprentices and employer partners shared their experiences and insights into workforce preparation during an afternoon panel discussion at CARB.

The event concluded with a discussion on mapping out training programs, identifying instructors, and fostering connections among attendees.

Jason Kennedy, Director of Workforce and Economic Development Apprenticeship Programs at RCCD, emphasized the significance of the event:

"Events like this are critical for aligning workforce training with industry needs. By bringing educators, employers, and students together, we can create programs that prepare our students for the future of work while meeting the evolving demands of industries like transportation and advanced manufacturing."

This collaborative effort underscores RCCD’s commitment to fostering innovation and preparing the region’s workforce for emerging opportunities in cutting-edge industries.

Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications