California Energy Commission Approves CA-TREC Grant to Expand Residential Heat Pump Workforce
On Wednesday, July 8, Sheet Metal Workers from throughout California joined industry partners at the California Energy Commission (CEC) Business Meeting to speak in support of the California Training for Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC) grant. Following public testimony, the Commission unanimously approved the CA-TREC grant, awarding nearly $9.3 million to expand California's residential electrification workforce through existing, high-quality training programs.
For SMART Local 104 members, the HVAC union, this investment represents far more than new residential training equipment it is an investment in the future of our members, our contractors, and the communities we serve. Northern California Valley Sheet Metal Training Center (Sacramento JATC) Training Administrator Alex Tiechner, together with instructors Shane Lee and Rob Martin, attended to demonstrate how beneficial this funding will be for apprentices and members pursuing residential HVAC training. Their presentation highlighted how these investments will strengthen existing apprenticeship programs and better prepare the next generation of skilled Residential HVAC technicians.
The Sacramento JATC is one of six California HVAC residential training centers that will receive funding to expand residential HVAC heat pump training. The grant will provide new residential heat pump equipment, training mock-ups, diagnostic instruments, and curriculum enhancements that will allow apprentices and journey-level members to train on the same technologies being installed in homes across California.
The program also helps reduce the cost of residential HVAC training by supporting apprenticeships, certification programs, and workforce development while expanding access to careers in underserved communities. Through additional supportive services, eligible apprentices may receive assistance with childcare, transportation, tools, and safety equipment, helping remove barriers that prevent individuals from entering and completing apprenticeship programs.
For experienced technicians, the grant creates a new pathway to business ownership. Local 104 will develop a Technician-to-Contractor Education and Support Program that helps members navigate California contractor licensing, insurance, bonding, and business operations. Members who successfully become licensed contractors may also qualify for entrepreneurial scholarships of up to $10,000 to help purchase the tools and equipment needed to launch a residential HVAC business.
The grant also establishes an HVAC Technician Certification Rebate Program, helping offset the cost of nationally recognized certifications, including EPA Section 608, HVAC Excellence Residential Air Conditioning, Heat Pump Installer, Low-GWP Refrigerant Safety, and other industry credentials.
Most importantly, CA-TREC is designed to ensure that California's investment in residential electrification delivers lasting results. Rather than simply increasing the number of heat pumps installed, the program invests in the skilled workforce needed to install, commission, and service these systems correctly. Proper installation ensures homeowners receive the energy savings, comfort, indoor air quality, and greenhouse gas reductions that heat pump technology is designed to provide.
SMART Local 104 thanks the California Energy Commission, the Western States Council of SMART, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, and everyone who attended the Business Meeting to support this important investment. By strengthening existing state-accredited apprenticeship programs and creating new opportunities for apprentices, journey workers, and future contractors, CA-TREC is helping build the highly skilled workforce that will power California's clean energy future for decades to come.
See CEC Linkedin Post - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7480757128916279296/
