Career Opportunities in the Growing Green Economy: Green Transportation, Electric Vehicles, and Zero-Emission Vehicles
Green transportation is a rapidly growing career field with a variety of roles that contribute to vehicles, fuels, and design that reduce the sector’s impact on the human and natural environment. This article is part of CAPS’s Green Job series, examining the growing green economy.
Background: The Need for Green Skills Development
The growing market for electric vehicles is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sparking new career opportunities in the green transportation sector. As more people opt for electric vehicles — especially in the United States, China, and Europe — they are reducing their carbon footprint and accelerating the green economy.
In our report, “Driving the Future: Accelerating the Green Transportation Workforce,” we found that the growth of green transportation and the rise in related jobs demand a swift deployment of workforce training initiatives. Closing this skills gap is essential to meet the increasing need for workers who can contribute to the climate agenda and drive the transformation toward a sustainable economy. California is leading the way in green careers, with an estimated 4 million jobs set to emerge over the next 30 years as the state transitions to meet its ambitious climate goals.
An assessment of California’s current Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities in the transportation, energy, environment, and utilities sectors suggests there is a significant opportunity to incorporate zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) and electric vehicle (EV) learning content for high school students that will prepare them for careers in the fast-paced and evolving green transportation industry.
Integrating Clean Transportation Training Into CTE Programs
CTE programs in California public schools serve as pathways for students entering the workforce immediately after high school, as well as those pursuing trade schools, two-year college certificate programs, or four-year universities. The “Driving the Future” report highlights how CTE programs are being evaluated and updated to align them more closely with industry needs and prepare students for careers in growing fields such as clean transportation.
Stakeholder interviews and curriculum research identified gaps in ZEV and EV learning content within related CTE pathways. Much of the current education is technical rather than fundamental about EVs and the clean energy transition. While the California Department of Education is actively working on updating CTE standards to meet changing industry needs, it has mainly fallen on school districts to drive the advancement of CTE offerings.
During the assessment discussions, CTE stakeholders indicated that it is critical to introduce students to potential green jobs through a variety of methods. This includes “soft” introductions and exposure, such as CAPS programming and internships, as well as more structured pathways like CTE programs where available.
CAPS programming can introduce students not enrolled in CTE pathways to climate and sustainability content and careers. This includes foundational ZEV and EV learning content that addresses the current gaps in CTE pathways, providing knowledge in schools where students may otherwise not have access to it.
Incorporating ZEV and EV education is essential as it aligns curricula with industry advancements, inspires students to pursue careers in sustainable fields, and addresses the growing demand for a skilled green workforce.
Careers in Green Transportation
The green transportation career opportunities include ZEV jobs such as fuel cell technicians and engineers, automotive engineers and technicians, biofuels production managers, civil engineers, and more. Emerging ZEV and climate goals will continue to drive the need for a well-prepared clean mobility workforce.
Green Transportation Roles: Some of the key roles in green transportation — including operations, structural repair and refinishing, and systems diagnostics, service, and repair — begin with certification programs or apprenticeships. Roles such as automotive engineering technicians, fuel cell technicians, and transportation vehicle, equipment, and systems inspectors are available to people with associate’s degrees. These jobs can provide high-earning salaries, with fuel cell technicians earning an average of $67,000 annually.
High-Demand Roles: Certain green transportation roles are expected to be in especially high demand. These include logistics analysts and engineers, transportation planners and engineers, and vehicle, equipment, and systems inspectors. Creating learning content for these and other growing roles will help boost students’ green industry employability by aligning theory and skills with employer needs.
California's Commitment to Clean Mobility
California’s ZEV (Zero-Emission Vehicle) Market Development Strategy and other ambitious initiatives are driving the need for skill-building related to green transportation. The strategy includes three main goals: 100% of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks will be zero emission by 2035; 100% of medium and heavy-duty vehicles in the state will be zero-emission by 2045; and 100% of off-road vehicles and equipment will be zero-emission by 2035.
Additional state goals include putting at least 5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2030 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% lower than 1990 levels by 2030.
Green Transportation Job Opportunities
Currently, jobs in transportation and other trades often suffer from the perception of being less prestigious or lucrative compared to white-collar professions, as expressed by career and technical educators during stakeholder interviews. However, these careers offer significant opportunities, including competitive salaries, job stability, and potential for advancement. Educating students about the value of trade jobs is crucial as it helps dispel misconceptions and highlights the essential and growing role these professions play in the economy. Promoting these career paths can also address skill shortages in vital industries that keep our economy operating smoothly and provide rewarding, fulfilling career options for students who thrive in hands-on, practical environments.
Students can pursue careers in green transportation without following a traditional university path. They can obtain much of their training and certifications through CTE programs and local partnerships that support them, including community colleges and industry partners. These programs provide the necessary skills and qualifications, offering a viable alternative to a conventional college education.
“Modesto City Schools are revamping their transportation CTE program to keep pace with the rapidly changing automotive industry. In the coming years, Modesto will offer a new 21st-Century Transportation CTE Course that includes EV topics,” says Rachelle Barkus, Senior Director, Educational Options at Modesto City Schools. “This update will provide students with the chance to upskill and learn in-demand subjects, aligning their education with industry needs.”
Examples of Jobs in Green Transportation
Automotive Engineers and Engineering Technicians
Biofuels Processing Technicians
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Biomass Plant Technicians
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Fuel Cell Engineers and Technicians
Logistics Analysts and Engineers
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Operations
Robotics Technicians
Structural Repair and Refinishing
Systems Diagnostics, Service, and Repair
Transportation Planners
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment, and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation