News & Updates

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a K-12 Strong Workforce Program (K-12 SWP) grant to enhance the Automotive pathways at Buena High School and Ventura High School. The grant, valued at approximately $650,000, will focus on the development of Electrical Vehicle (EV) Maintenance and Repair training—an exciting step toward preparing students for lucrative careers in high-demand, future-facing industries.

VUSD’s grant application was recognized as one of the top three submissions, earning an impressive 90% of the requested funding. “We have much to celebrate with the possibilities this grant funding will generate,” said Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro. “This investment will advance opportunities for our students, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving automotive and green technology sectors.”

The funding will support:

·        Teacher Training: Professional development for educators to deliver cutting-edge instruction in EV Maintenance and Repair.

·        Equipment Purchases: Acquisition of state-of-the-art tools and resources necessary for hands-on student learning.

·        Learning Space Upgrades: Modernization of facilities to accommodate advanced automotive and EV technologies.

·        Cross-Sector Collaboration: Integration of learning opportunities across Automotive, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), and environmental resources pathways, including green tech and coding.

“This grant will not only enhance our Automotive pathways but will also foster collaboration across sectors, preparing students for a future where technology and sustainability intersect,” added Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Rene Rickard.

Stay tuned for updates as VUSD embarks on this transformative journey to empower students and strengthen workforce readiness in Ventura County. For more information on VUSD's full Career Technical Education offerings, view the CTE website.