Miguel Contreras Foundation Awarded $400,000 Catalyst Grant to Launch LA Technology Workforce Initiative

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Miguel Contreras Foundation (MCF) is proud to announce it has been selected as one of 26 grantees of the Catalyst Awards! With a $400,000 award, MCF will launch the LA Green Technology Social Enterprise, a workforce training and social enterprise project aimed at preparing Angelenos for careers in electric vehicle (EV) and hydrogen fuel cell truck conversions.

The initiative will span across all 8 Service Planning Areas (SPAs) of Los Angeles County, bridging climate innovation with equity-centered workforce development. By training workers in cutting-edge clean transportation technologies, the project will accelerate LA’s transition to zero emissions and create high-road employment opportunities.

“This investment allows us to equip communities with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in this future economy,” said Armando Loza, MSSE, Executive Director of the Miguel Contreras Foundation. “We’re honored to lead a project that is redefining workforce development.”

MCF is excited to partner with the Fairplex Learning and Development Center, the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps, Evolectric, and Managed Career Solutions (MCS), the operational partner of the American Job Centers of California (AJCC). The Learning Centers at the Fairplex offer an array of CTE training programs, including auto programs on campus. The San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps trains youth for climate-focused jobs. Evolectric is a vehicle electrification company that provides zero-emissions conversion technology and kits. Participants will be supported by the American Job Centers of California (AJCC) MCS. This partnership and the CJF grant together create an opportunity to prepare opportunity youth to help California transition to zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles by 2045.

The Catalyst Grant is part of a $9 million seed funding initiative from California Jobs First (CJF), managed in partnership with the California Community Foundation (CCF), the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), and other regional collaborators. The 26 funded projects were selected through a competitive process by a 10-member review committee representing diverse voices from across LA’s economic, workforce, and community sectors. Proposals were evaluated on feasibility, equity, climate impact, and job creation potential.

MCF extends its gratitude to the CJF team, the LA Regional Collaborative, and all partner organizations committed to sustainable, community-driven economic growth.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

To learn more about the Catalyst Awards, visit lacerf.org/catalystprojects.

To learn more about the Miguel Contreras Foundation, visit www.miguelcontrerasfoundation.org.

Miguel Contreras Foundation

2130 W. James M. Wood Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90006 📞 (213) 805-6822 | 🌐

miguelcontrerasfoundation.org 📧 info@miguelcontrerasfoundation.org

Empowering the next generation of leaders through equity, opportunity, and union careers.