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High-Speed Rail Recognizes Fifth Anniversary of Central Valley Training Center and its Graduates
11/24/2025
[ Article originally appeared in https://hsr.ca.gov ]
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Central Valley Training Center (CVTC) by recognizing 20 new graduates to complete the program. With the addition of new graduates, the CVTC has surpassed another major milestone of more than 300 students completing the pre-apprenticeship program, ready for a career in transportation.
Click the image to enlarge. Student Yvette Castro learned about the program thanks to a mentor’s recommendation. After learning how to work with an electrical conduit, she took the next steps to become an electrician.  “I told my mentor I had zero background in construction, and she told me this program would be a good step forward, to show that I am serious about getting into the field.”Yvette Castro, Central Valley Training Center Graduate When asked about what kept her through the program, she replied, “My motivation throughout this program has been my mom. Ideally, I want to be in a good spot financially to support myself and her, so she won’t have to work so hard.” To date, more than 3,000 individuals have inquired about the CVTC program. Students are then screened, assessed and scheduled for an orientation. The CVTC introduces students to 10 construction trades and provides hands-on training alongside journeymen from fields such as ironwork, carpentry, roofing and masonry. Graduates also earn several industry certifications to help them enter the workforce. The program is a partnership among the Authority, the Fresno-Madera-Kings-Tulare Building Trades Council, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission and the City of Selma. High-Speed Rail Progress Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. More than 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with nearly 60 fully completed major structures, and 30 more structures underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties. The project continues to advance statewide, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready.
Since construction began, the project has created more than 16,100 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day. Back To News |
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