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PHOTO RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Recognizes 16 Students Completing Central Valley Training Center Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Program Surpasses 100,000 Hours of Training

September 8, 2025

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Established in 2020, the Central Valley Training Center offers hands-on, 10-week pre-apprenticeship training to prepare students for careers in the construction trades. To date, more than 100,000 training hours have been provided to students, resulting in 284 individuals completing the program. 

SELMA, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) celebrated 16 new graduates of the Central Valley Training Center (CVTC) in Selma. With this graduating class, the CVTC has surpassed a major milestone – delivering more than 100,000 hours of training to students pursuing careers in the construction trades.

 

Central Valley Training Center graduates posing in front of a backdrop on stage.

Click image to enlarge.

Toni Tinoco smiling

“This program is built on the unique stories of each student and reflects California’s commitment to economic prosperity through good-paying infrastructure jobs. With more than 15,800 construction jobs already created on the project, the Authority continues to invest in workforce opportunities for men and women throughout the Central Valley.”

Toni Tinoco, Central Valley Deputy Regional Director
At a ceremony held at the Selma Arts Center, graduate and student speaker Whitney King of Fresno, shared her excitement to head into a new career in transportation, particularly on the high-speed rail project.
Whitney King, Central Valley Training Center Graduate smiling

“Transportation is the backbone of America, and I’ve been wanting to get into transportation by working with high-speed rail. This program has given me the opportunity to learn different skills and a wide range of experience – like construction basics, electrical and sheet metal – that I will hopefully take to a future job on a high-speed rail construction site.”

Whitney King, Central Valley Training Center Graduate
King was one of only two women to complete the program as part of its 18th cohort. To date, 284 students have completed the CVTC program.
Will Oliver, President and CEO of the Fresno Economic Development Corporation smiling

“Reaching 100,000 training hours is more than a milestone, it’s proof that CVTC graduates are gaining the skills local employer’s demand. These hours are translating into real work in the field, supporting projects that strengthen our economy while answering the call for a skilled workforce.”

Will Oliver, President and CEO of the Fresno Economic Development Corporation and partner

For King, she’s eager to begin a new career, and has already advised others to sign up for the program.

“There’s so much that you can gain from the program in regards to the skills, the networking, the exposure, the experience, the certificates – it really truly is a blessing to be able to have this program,” added King.

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. Nearly 70 miles of guideway are complete, along with 57 structures, with 29 more 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 15,800 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.

Interviews in Spanish are available upon request. For more information, contact the Authority’s media relations office at: news@hsr.ca.gov.

Se ofrecen entrevistas en Español bajo solicitud. Para obtener más información, contacte a la Oficina de Relaciones con los Medios por correo electrónico: news@hsr.ca.gov.

For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit www.buildhsr.com.

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8. Files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

Build More, Faster

High-speed rail is a key part of Governor Newsom’s Build More, Faster agenda, delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs throughout the state. Discover more: Build.ca.gov
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