Paid from day one
Apprentices are employed by a partner company while they train. On-the-job training is paid, so you build a career without building debt.
Featured program · Registered apprenticeship
The clean-energy workforce starts here.
SMaRTech is a registered apprenticeship training solar and EV charging maintenance technicians — college training partners deliver the classroom instruction, and apprentices get paid from their first day on the job.
150+
Target apprentices
1,000+
Training hours delivered
Industry
Recognized certification
$0
Student debt — you earn while you learn
Why this program
Earn a paycheck while you earn a credential.
College instruction, field skills
College training partners deliver the Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI); employer partners deliver the on-the-job hours. Classroom and jobsite reinforce each other week by week.
A credential employers asked for
The program culminates in SMaRTech certification for non-electrical solar and EV charging maintenance technicians — a credential built by the companies doing the hiring.
Two pathways
Choose your track
Track A
Solar Maintenance & Reporting Technician
Keep photovoltaic arrays clean, inspected, documented, and performing — the physical, non-electrical side of solar operations and maintenance.
- Solar panel cleaning
- Visual & mechanical inspections
- Array assessment
- Site documentation & drone imaging
- Performance reporting
Track B
EVSE Maintenance & Reporting Technician
Maintain the electric vehicle charging network: inspection, cleaning, uptime monitoring fundamentals, and the reporting that keeps sites accountable.
- Physical charger inspection
- Non-electrical maintenance
- Site assessment
- OCPP monitoring fundamentals
- Documentation & reporting
Growing across the region
SMaRTech plus automotive, culinary, and hospitality apprenticeships are now enrolling.
SMaRTech is enrolling now with North Orange Continuing Education as training partner, and additional apprenticeship pathways at Saddleback College (ATEP) are open for enrollment — from culinary and hospitality to automotive service. More programs, including electrical at Santiago Canyon College, are in development with colleges across Orange County.
Now enrolling
SMaRTech Apprenticeship
North Orange Continuing Education
In development
Electrical Technician (ET)
Santiago Canyon College
In development
Infectious Prevention Specialist
North Orange Continuing Education
Now enrolling
Cook
Saddleback College (ATEP)
Now enrolling
Hospitality Management
Saddleback College (ATEP)
Now enrolling
Automotive Service Technician (EV focus)
Saddleback College (ATEP)
Now enrolling
Automotive Service Technician
Saddleback College (ATEP)
Watch
Maintaining future energy
A look at the work apprentices do in the field and the careers this training opens up.
How training works
College instruction plus paid hours in the field.
Apprentices attend Related Supplemental Instruction with a college training partner and complete on-the-job training hours with a partner employer. Classroom theory, safety, documentation, and reporting are reinforced immediately on real solar arrays and charging sites.
- Registered Apprenticeship
- Paid Employment
- Earn While You Learn
- Industry Certification
- Classroom Instruction
- Employer Mentorship
- Hands-on Training
- Career Advancement
- Stackable Credentials
- Workforce Ready
Questions about the next cohort?
Email the program office at jcaffery@saddleback.edu.