VOLT Institute Brings Free Mobile Training Programs to Tracy

VOLT Institute, a trade school and technical center located in downtown Modesto has brought its free, mobile training programs to the City of Tracy.

Catering to both students and professionals in the workplace, the year-long agreement will complement Tracy’s ongoing workforce development programs as the area continues to emerge as a major industrial and distribution hub in the Northern Central Valley and Bay Area supply chains. 

As a result, there’s been a critical need for ongoing training programs targeted at upskilling and reskilling its industrial labor force. 

But training becomes a challenge when your target audience is juggling work, family and a handful of other commitments. Sometimes, it’s just not feasible to sit in a classroom for multiple hours every week. 

VOLT-on-the-Go: Bringing the Classroom to the Student

VOLT quickly realized the need to remove those barriers with the creation of VOLT-on-the-Go, which was developed in part with a $1.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

By bringing the learning experience directly to the student, the program removes geographic and transportation hurdles for individuals who may not have the ability to commute to the Modesto campus.

And by preparing and upskilling workers for industrial, technical, and logistical jobs, the partnership between VOLT-on-the-Go and the City of Tracy will strengthen the technical workforce in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, making the area even more attractive for an industry that’s driving the California economy.

The state leads the nation in total manufacturing output, producing $400 billion in manufactured goods every year, approximately 10% of the state’s total GDP, while also employing more than 1.2 million Californians.

It also complements the City of Tracy’s commitment to support the steady growth of its manufacturing sector, which has become one of its largest employers and a backbone of the local economy.

Participants Attend Debut Training Cohort in Tracy

The City of Tracy recently wrapped up its first VOLT-on-the-Go manufacturing training cohort on January 22.

The three-day program welcomed 10 participants, each of whom successfully completed the hands-on training and received a certificate from the VOLT Institute. Certificates were presented by Mayor Dan Arriola, recognizing the participants’ completion of the program.

The cohort created genuine excitement around workforce development and career pathways in manufacturing. 

“The City of Tracy and VOLT Institute recently partnered to bring our award-winning VOLT on the Go mobile hands-on manufacturing training program to Tracy’s amazing downtown Transit Center. This three-day open enrollment program was an opportunity for participants to develop foundational skills, build community, and invest in a future career in manufacturing. VOLT is excited to continue creating accelerated pathways into industry as the City of Tracy attracts and sustains high-growth, innovative businesses,” said Eric Neuenfeldt, Executive Director of the VOLT Institute.

The next cohort, which will focus on VFD (Variable Frequency Drives) training systems, is scheduled for April 20-23, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Tracy Transit Station, room 105. 

Volt-on-the-Go Will Continue Offering Training for Students and Professionals

Rather than solely focusing on training students, VOLT-on-the-Go will also appeal to seasoned workers looking to improve upon their existing skill set.

To meet the unique needs of both, Tracy residents will be able to take advantage of two unique programs:

1. Investor Cohorts: Employers in the Tracy area have the option to host a cohort in their own space, giving their workforce specialized training that’s tailored to the company’s needs and growth initiatives. This would allow each employer to engage directly with the learning process to ensure that the skills their employees are developing are not only beneficial to the company but immediately applicable as well. As a result, employee performance and productivity would be enhanced by a company culture that encourages continuous innovation and improvement, paving the way for advancement.
2. Community Cohorts: Community Cohorts will be held at Tracy’s Transfer Station, giving individuals an opportunity to engage in collaborative learning experiences and hands-on training designed to meet the specific needs of the community. By participating, individuals are able to enhance their skills and improve upon their existing knowledge within a supportive network of professionals and learners.

The emphasis on flexibility has allowed the institute to adapt to the individual schedules and needs of each participant. Currently, VOLT-on-the-Go is offering training in the areas of:

• Intro to AC/DC Basic Electrical
• Mechanical Drives
• Electric Relay Troubleshooting
• Process Controls
• Electrical Motor Control
• Smart Machine Sensors
• Hydraulics
• PLC Courses:  Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced

And as a member of the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), VOLT students will have access to SACA Industry 4.0 certificates, which are highly valuable for both students and employers in advanced manufacturing and logistics. 

Manufacturing 2.0: Shedding the Factory Floor Image

According to a recent survey, while the majority of Americans believe overwhelmingly in the importance of manufacturing, just one in three parents would actually encourage their children to pursue a career in the skilled trades.

That general consensus has been linked to long-held perceptions of “factory floor” jobs:  repetitive manual assembly, low pay, and little to no hope for advancement.

However, those ingrained images no longer match the reality of modern manufacturing jobs, a sector driven by groundbreaking innovation and sophisticated technology. To master both requires a highly skilled workforce. 

Paychecks That Surpass the Income of the Average American Household

VOLT’s innovative mobile program also addresses the waning interest in pursuing a traditional, four year degree.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the shift from white to blue-collar jobs continues to grow for the 2 million students who are opting out of college and the burden of debt they would receive upon graduation.

Education Data reports the national student loan debt has ballooned to over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate responsible for paying back $106,850.

Meanwhile, Sallie Mae predicts that students can expect to pay an average of $36,436/year for college, almost double the $17,600/year they’d pay to attend a trade school.

Coupled with underwhelming starting salaries within the traditional business fields, the disenchantment has fueled a renewed interest in learning a skilled trade.

When area students graduate from high school or a trade school like VOLT and begin working for a manufacturing company in Tracy, within a few years they’re often making more money per paycheck than the average household in the United States. 

Stable, Good Paying Jobs Are Available in Tracy

As the City of Tracy continues to partner with institutions like VOLT, it’s able to offer stable, good-paying jobs to skilled workers in the region, creating a foundation for economic resilience and aligning workforce initiatives with one of California’s most resilient and vital industries.

For more information about the City of Tracy’s workforce development programs and partnerships, click here.