Energize Careers: A New Start

By Isaí Rea

Graduates of the Tesla START program at Rio Hondo College, an Energize Careers partner, in 2023. 

Solving the climate crisis can feel insurmountable, but we know that it’s possible – with the right people. Currently, there’s a massive workforce gap in the energy efficiency sector and other green workforce industries. Simply put, there aren’t enough skilled people to fill these jobs. ​

Another challenge is that there are many people struggling to make ends meet or build fulfilling careers because of a variety of factors — including systemic oppression. By training and supporting these people to enter into the jobs actively combatting the climate crisis – focusing on the people – the larger economic problem will be solved. 

An example of the difference a skilled, thriving, diverse workforce makes comes from Energize Careers’ participants out of Rio Hondo College and the upward mobility provided for them through the Tesla START program.

Francisco Vincenti, a graduate of the Spring 2023 Tesla START cohort, started as an engineer technician in Fremont, California. He worked his way up and is now lead ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) operator in Barcelona, Spain. Vincenti couldn't fathom the fact that a year after completion of his training program, he would be helping to support his family and working for a great energy efficiency-based company while exploring new countries. 

The Tesla START program is helping break many barriers — especially for women in STEM. With women accounting for only 27% of the United States auto manufacturing workforce, the Energize Careers program is striving to help support women on their path into becoming Electronic Vehicle Technicians. 

“As a single mother, the [Tesla] START program has opened a pathway that was not available to me before,” said alum Cecilia Ledesma. “I really enjoyed coding and am a self-proclaimed wizard when it comes to programming these electric cars.” Upon graduation, Cecilia received a full-time offer at Tesla to be one their EV programers. She provides for her family using her natural talent and the skills she’s learned through the program at Rio Hondo College, empowered to make her mark in a male-dominated industry.

Personally, I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to my mentor and Rio Hondo's site supervisor, Bruce Noble. Throughout our journey together, he has been an unwavering source of guidance, wisdom, and inspiration. Bruce has not only believed in me when I started off as a Climate Corp fellow at Rio Hondo College, but has also shown me how to channel my potential and become an exemplary Associate Project Coordinator at SEI.