Xpan Selected by California Transit Training Consortium to Develop Statewide Fuel Cell Electric Bus Training Program

Turnkey curriculum will standardize workforce development for the California transit industry and support the state’s transition to zero-emission transportation

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, October 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Xpan Interactive USA Inc. (Xpan) has been selected by the California Transit Training Consortium (CTTC) to develop and deploy a comprehensive statewide fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) training program. Working in partnership with zero-emission technical consultancy ZEB Tech, Xpan will lead the development of six standardized FCEB training courses for delivery through California community colleges and transit agency training facilities.

The initiative comes as California transit agencies accelerate the transition of their fleets to zero-emission technologies in response to California Air Resources Board requirements. Developing a safe, highly skilled and consistently trained workforce is critical to supporting that transition and ensuring the long-term reliability of zero-emission transit operations.

Funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration, the project will deliver a turnkey training program combining asynchronous e-learning with hands-on, instructor-led classroom instruction for transit technicians, operators and fleet supervisors.

“We are honored to collaborate with CTTC and California’s transit leadership on this transformative workforce initiative,” said Ron Thiele, founder and CEO of Xpan and chair of the APTA Business Member Workforce Development Committee. “By combining Xpan’s 25-year legacy in advanced learning solutions with deep domain expertise in transit systems, we are creating an engaging, frictionless and practical learning experience designed to bridge critical skills gaps and prepare California’s transit workforce for the next generation of fleet technology.”

The curriculum will align with the American Public Transportation Association’s Zero-Emission Bus Maintenance Training Recommended Practice, NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code, Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety standards and California Community College Title 5 regulations.

“Transitioning California’s public transit fleets to zero-emission technology requires a resilient, world-class workforce trained to the highest safety and operational standards,” said Jannet Malig, Executive Director of CTTC. “This project ensures that our community college partners and transit agencies receive standardized, state-of-the-art training materials that empower technicians and operators while keeping our transit systems running safely and reliably.”

The multi-phase development initiative will produce six courses addressing critical areas of FCEB technology, maintenance and operations:
• Hydrogen Fundamentals
• FCEB Maintenance Overview
• Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID)
• Corrective Maintenance
• Bus Operations
• Preventive Maintenance

Beyond curriculum development, the initiative will include train-the-trainer facilitation and live pilot programs hosted at transit properties across California, including Golden Empire Transit District (GETbus) and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. The pilot process will provide an opportunity to evaluate the curriculum in real-world transit environments and incorporate feedback from instructors, technicians, operators and industry stakeholders before broader deployment.

The project brings together Xpan’s expertise in instructional design, educational technology and transit workforce development; ZEB Tech’s specialized technical knowledge of zero-emission and fuel cell transit systems; and CTTC’s statewide network of transit agencies, community colleges and industry partners.

Together, the organizations will develop a scalable and repeatable training framework designed to help California transit agencies and educational institutions prepare workers to safely operate and maintain increasingly sophisticated zero-emission fleets.
For more information about Xpan and its transit workforce learning solutions visit xpaninteractive.com.
For more information about the CTTC FCEB Workforce Training Program, visit cttc.com.

About Xpan:
Founded in 2001, Xpan provides transit training, educational technology and learning and development solutions designed to engage, educate and empower the transit workforce of the future. Xpan specializes in creating engaging, scalable and immersive educational programs for public transit authorities, original equipment manufacturers and industrial partners across North America. Learn more at xpaninteractive.com.

About California Transit Training Consortium:
The California Transit Training Consortium is a statewide workforce training organization dedicated to supporting California community colleges and public transit agencies in developing standardized, industry-aligned curricula for transit maintenance and operations personnel. CTTC bridges the gap between employer workforce needs and instructional resources while advancing clean transportation goals across California. Learn more at cttc.com.

About ZEB Tech:
ZEB Tech LLC is a specialized zero-emission vehicle workforce training consultancy providing technical subject matter expertise, curriculum authorship and instructor facilitation for high-voltage and fuel cell transit systems.

Media Contacts:

Jannet Malig
Executive director, California Transit Training Consortium
Email: jmalig@cttc.com | Phone: 310-694-3969

Ron Thiele
Xpan
+1 877-700-9726 ext. 101
ron@xpaninteractive.com
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