Western States Council Awarded $1.29 Million CA-TREC Group 3 Grant
The Western States Council of SMART is proud to announce that we have been selected by the California Energy Commission to lead a California Training for Residential Energy Contractors (CA-TREC) Group 3 project. The Commission formally approved the $1,289,757 award on July 8, 2026.
The CA-TREC program is designed to expand California’s workforce capacity for residential energy-efficiency and electrification projects. WSC’s Group 3 project will invest directly in the training facilities, equipment, curriculum, and support needed to prepare skilled sheet metal and HVAC professionals for the growing residential heat-pump market.
Through this award, WSC will work with participating Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees to:
Upgrade training facilities with modern residential HVAC and heat-pump equipment.
Expand hands-on instruction involving refrigerant charging, recovery, and leak detection.
Develop new technician-to-contractor education and contractor-readiness training.
Support skilled technicians pursuing California contractor licenses and opportunities to build successful residential HVAC businesses.
Increase access to high-quality residential electrification services in energy-burdened communities.
The project will support participating training locations in Modesto, Sacramento, Fresno, Nipomo, Los Angeles, and San Diego. SMART Local 104 will also help develop and deliver the technician-to-contractor component of the program.
This investment will strengthen California’s high-road workforce infrastructure while creating new opportunities for apprentices, journey-level workers, technicians, and contractors. It will also help ensure that the state’s clean-energy programs are supported by properly trained workers capable of safely installing and servicing modern residential HVAC and heat-pump systems.
The CA-TREC initiative extends beyond WSC’s Group 3 project. The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California was also awarded funding under Groups 1 and 2. Its Group 1 CREATE initiative will expand residential energy-efficiency training through union apprenticeship programs, while its Group 2 CRESST project will help income-qualified apprentices overcome financial barriers by providing childcare stipends and required safety tools.
Many WSC-affiliated JATCs will participate in these additional programs, creating a coordinated opportunity to expand training, reduce barriers to completion, and strengthen career pathways throughout California.
WSC appreciates the California Energy Commission’s investment in high-quality workforce training and the continued partnership of the State Building Trades, our affiliated local unions, participating JATCs, contractors, instructors, and industry partners. Together, these investments will help build the skilled workforce California needs to meet its residential energy-efficiency and electrification goals.