Ribbon-cutting ceremony and graduation marked milestone in workforce development partnership with BodeEV, preparing for careers in the clean energy economy
SANTA ANA, Calif. — September [1/2], 2026 — Goodwill of Orange County, in partnership with BodeEV, celebrated the official opening of its new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Technician Training facility in Santa Ana with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 31, 2026. The event also marked the graduation of the program’s first cohort of ten trained EVSE technicians, a milestone that reflects the growing collaboration between workforce development and California’s clean energy industry.
The EVSE Technician Training Program is a four-week, paid training initiative designed to prepare participants for careers in the state’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle infrastructure sector. Participants received hands-on instruction from SmarterHelp – a green-skilled workplace development and training company – in EV charging technology, electrical fundamentals, workplace safety, customer service, and job readiness, along with access to career-preparation resources and continued support after graduation. The program operates under the umbrella of the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ (GCTA), a national workforce development initiative launched by Goodwill Industries International in partnership with Accenture and General Motors, and Santa Ana is recognized as one of GCTA’s official EVSE Technician training locations.
BodeEV established a formal recruitment and workforce development partnership with Goodwill OC, using the EVSE Technician Training Program as a talent pipeline to support its operations across Orange County and the Greater Los Angeles area. As part of the partnership, graduates who express interest in employment with BodeEV are eligible for an additional two-day specialized training module, delivered by BodeEV’s own technical team and focused on the company’s internal systems and operational processes. This collaboration directly informs how BodeEV approaches outreach in underserved and income-qualified communities, aligning with its overall values and mission of Frictionless Charging for All.
“Our partnership with Goodwill of Orange County has been one of the most rewarding parts of BodeEV’s work in this community. Being able to support the EVSE Technician Training Program from the ground up, and now see our first cohort graduate, is exactly the kind of impact we set out to make,” said Brendan O’Donnell, President & CEO, BodeEV. “For us, this isn’t just about training, it’s about giving these graduates a real opportunity to bring their new skills into the BodeEV ecosystem, working on chargers under management and adding value to the industry as it grows.”
With the launch of the new EVSE program and Santa Ana training facility, Goodwill OC opened a completely new career pathway in Orange County at a time when the demand for EV infrastructure and skilled technicians is growing rapidly. As California continues to invest in EV charging infrastructure, the program’s graduates are now positioned to pursue opportunities in a field expected to see sustained demand for qualified technicians.
“This program represents more than technical training,” said Sari Finge, Goodwill of Orange County’s EVSE Training Program Manager. “It is about creating access to family-sustaining careers in an industry of the future. We are connecting individuals to meaningful work in the clean energy economy while helping employers build the workforce they need to meet growing demand. That is a win for our graduates, for local businesses, and for Orange County as a whole.”
For more than 100 years, Goodwill OC has helped people gain the skills, support, and confidence needed to achieve economic mobility. Today, that mission continues by opening doors to innovative industries that may not have been accessible to many individuals in the past.
About Goodwill of Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a caring and connected community where everyone has access to meaningful career opportunities. Through workforce development programs, disability services, veteran services, and technical training initiatives like the EVSE Technician Training Program, Goodwill OC helps individuals build skills and connect to lasting employment.
About BodeEV
BodeEV Install & Service Inc. is the nation’s fastest, most cost-effective provider of EV charger installation, operations and maintenance services. With a nationwide network of expert partners and a commitment to rapid response times, including cutting-edge technology partnerships, BodeEV is solving the industry’s biggest pain point: EV charger reliability. Our Service Level Agreement (SLA) is unmatched, ensuring that EV chargers stay operational and efficient.
