Cal State LA has been awarded $400,000 in Catalyst Predevelopment Seed Funding through the California Jobs First Los Angeles Collaborative to support the university’s Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle Workforce Initiative.
The grant was awarded to the university’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST), which is leading the initiative to cultivate a diverse, highly skilled clean transportation workforce and position the region at the forefront of climate-aligned innovation.
“This Catalyst Funding is designed to further enhance our workforce training programs in sustainable transportation,” said Professor David Blekhman, faculty lead on the initiative and technical director of the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility. “It will boost student engagement, faculty development, and curriculum infrastructure focused on hydrogen technologies and vehicle electrification.”
“The Coalition for Clean Air, our community partner, will support our efforts to promote opportunities at Cal State LA for acquiring advanced technical skills in the rapidly growing field of sustainable transportation,” he added. The coalition is a statewide organization exclusively dedicated to protecting public health, improving air quality, and preventing climate change.
The grant program is administered by the California Jobs First Los Angeles Collaborative, a regional body formed to implement a regional economic development plan that addresses the specific needs and opportunities of Los Angeles County. The Collaborative is co-led in partnership with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and the California Community Foundation.
The strong response to the program—127 proposals submitted—reflects the region’s deep commitment to bold, community-driven solutions that uplift historically underserved communities. Cal State LA’s proposal was among just 26 projects selected from seven industry sectors and eight service planning areas across Los Angeles County to receive a part of the $9 million in Catalyst Seed Funding—underscoring the quality of the university’s programs and faculty.
Cal State LA is proud to be part of the first Catalyst Funding cohort and remains committed to advancing workforce innovation, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity. Ranked number one in the nation for upward mobility, the university helps students from underserved communities succeed in fast-growing clean energy and transportation careers.
“This initiative highlights Cal State LA’s leadership in building a climate-resilient and socially responsive workforce,” said ECST Dean Nancy Warter-Perez. “We are proud to join this inaugural cohort and help shape a more equitable and sustainable future for our communities.”
For more information, please visit the Catalyst Grant List and Project Descriptions.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
