PHOTO RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Recognizes 17 Students Completing Central Valley Training Center Pre-Apprenticeship Program

June 20, 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, 268 graduates have completed the program, moving on to join unions, work for subcontractors, and contribute to high-speed rail construction in the Central Valley. 

SELMA, Calif. –The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) today celebrated 17 new graduates of the Central Valley Training Center (CVTC) in Selma. Since launching in 2020, the 10-week pre-apprenticeship program has graduated 268 students, helping them launch careers in the skilled trades.

Graduates from the June 2025 graduating cohort stand beaming in front of a backdrop of partner logos, all wearing PPE vests and helmets. Commemorative tool boxes rest at their feet, certificates in hand. Photo courtesy of Fresno Economic Corporation

At a ceremony held at the Selma Arts Center, graduates Jose Ponce of Visalia and Alexa Valdez of Hanford shared their stories and future goals.

Ponce, inspired by friends who had previously completed the program, said:

Photo of Jose Ponce, Central Valley Training Center graduate wearing an orange vest.

Jose Ponce, Central Valley Training Center graduate

“My goal is to join a union—hopefully with the cement masons or carpenters. After learning from tradespeople, instructors, and business partners, I’ve gained a new perspective. I want to help build bridges, maybe even work on high-speed rail one day. Seeing the Hanford Viaduct under construction—it’s history in the making, and I want to be part of it.”
For Valdez, the program was a path out of warehouse work and a step toward continuing her grandfather’s legacy.
Photo of Alexa Valdez, Central Valley Training Center graduate wearing a hard hat and an orange vest.

Alexa Valdez, Central Valley Training Center graduate

“He was a cement mason, and I used to help him. I like working with my hands—I’m not made for an office. I saw this opportunity and took it. My next step is getting a union job.”

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 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 55 structures, with 29 more underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties.

Since construction began, the project has created over 15,500 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.comExternal Link.

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/vyvjv9hckwl1dk603ju15u07fdfir2q8External Link

Files are all available for free use, courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

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Build More, Faster

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

 

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