“How can generative AI programs transform your operations and create new opportunities for growth in your business and stay ahead?”

That was one of the topics we batted around last night at our Networking PowerUp at Lucid Winery on R Street next to the Fox and Goose.  The consensus was that it would affect practically everything a business does.  Clearly, we need a longer discussion on this.  

Rather than a panel discussion on a particular topic, last night we figured it was time for primarily a social event.  And it did have an innovation theme.  Lucid Winery is pioneering a set of “wine-beers”.  Hard to describe, but very good.  We had a mead, a Pilsner, a Shandy, and a cider.  They also create premium wines in the traditional way.  It certainly did work to get the conversation going.  

We saw old friends that we missed for months and made a number of new friends.  It went so well we are going to do it again sometime.  We liked the location—wine barrels and stacks of old books.  Awesome.  We wanted to attract some of you from the state buildings.  We had some from the CEC and the Secretary of State’s office.  But we want to see dozens more.  And there are more of the “wine-beers” we want to try.

Be on the lookout for our next networking PowerUp, whether downtown or at some other location.  We provide food and drink.  Last night proved we are all starved for human contact.  We went over our planned 8 pm close because people were still having fun. 

Be sure to get on our mailing list so you know when these events are held.

The “ZEV SEED” (Zero Emission Vehicle Sustainable Equitable Employment Destination) program just graduated its first class of 20 trainees. The program is aimed at training 100 people and creating a talented and diverse workforce for the emerging electric vehicle industry. CleanStart has been helping the Community Resource Project and the California Mobility Center by reaching out to overlooked neighborhoods to explain the industry and the program in order to recruit trainees. The first graduating class was made up of recent immigrants from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Russia.

A group of 20 recent immigrants to the Sacramento region were the first graduates of a unique state-funded program preparing them for jobs working with electric vehicles.

The “Ideal Zev” program will train 100 Sacramento residents to work in the fast-growing clean vehicle industry. 

Funded by the California Energy Commission, the program involves several nonprofits, led by the Community Resource Project. 

“The challenges of this program are many, including language barriers, trainer availability, translators, trust, transportation, childcare, and job placement, to name a few,” said Luis Sanchez, CEO of Community Resource Project. “Nevertheless, we have successfully provided the training using both virtual reality and hands-on instruction,” 

The first graduating class of this unique pilot program was awarded certificates and will now receive job placement assistance. The first class was populated with recent immigrants from Afghanistan and Russia. The second-class group, which is also underway, targets women.

Clean Start is spearheading participant recruitment. Click here for more information. 

The program starts with classroom instruction and hands-on training at the California Mobility Center (CMC). 

The instruction uses a cutting-edge approach that leverages virtual reality apps developed by Aura Planning to simulate electric vehicle exploration, EV battery replacement, installing EV chargers, and high-voltage safety training. 

Once students complete the classroom training, they move on to the CMC’s hands-on training, working on actual electric vehicles and equipment offered at their site. Together, both models enhance understanding and the opportunities available for entry-level careers.

The program was funded by a $500,000 IDEAL ZEV (Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible Zero Emission Vehicle) grant from the California Energy Commission.