Your CTE Career
Starts Here
Shifting Gears USA supports Marin County high school students pursuing skilled trade careers through scholarships, classroom resources, and real-world exposure. No four-year college required.
Career Technical Education
CTE programs give you real, hands-on skills in a skilled trade while you're still in high school. You graduate ready to work — or to continue into an apprenticeship or trade school — with zero college debt.
In-School Training
Hands-on shop classes at Marin County high schools — Novato, Terra Linda, San Rafael, and more.
Industry Credentials
Earn certifications recognized by employers in automotive, construction, electrical, and other trades.
High-Wage Careers
Bay Area tradespeople earn $67K–$102K+ annually. Start earning within months of graduating.
Choose Your Pathway
Five high-demand trades with Bay Area wages well above national averages.
4 Steps to a Scholarship
Applications are open now. Deadline: April 30, 2026.
Check Eligibility
Must be enrolled in a Marin County high school CTE or CAPP program. GPA and enrollment requirements apply.
Prepare Documents
Gather your transcripts, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.
Submit Application
Complete the online application before the April 30, 2026 deadline. Applications take about 20 minutes.
Receive Award
Scholarship recipients are notified by email. Awards of up to $2,500 are paid directly to your trade school or program.
Questions? Contact us
Reviving Marin County's Auto Shops
For decades, Marin County high school auto shops sat closed and forgotten. Shifting Gears is changing that — one school at a time.
CAPP Program ActiveTerra Linda High School
San Rafael, CA
Home of the CAPP program — Terra Linda's auto shop sat dormant for over a decade before Shifting Gears partnered with the school to restore hands-on automotive training. Students now work on real vehicles under certified instructors, earning industry-recognized credentials before graduation.
Revitalization UnderwayNovato High School
Novato, CA
Novato High's auto shop was shuttered for years, leaving students with no pathway into the trades. Shifting Gears is working to revitalize the program, bringing back the equipment, curriculum, and industry connections that once made it a gateway to well-paying careers in automotive and mechanical trades.
Partnership in DevelopmentSan Marin High School
Novato, CA
San Marin High's once-thriving auto program fell silent as funding dried up and equipment aged out. Shifting Gears is partnering with the school and local trade unions to bring the shop back to life — giving students in one of Marin's most diverse communities a direct path to skilled, well-paying careers.
Eligibility Requirements
Both CAPP and CTE scholarships have the following requirements:
CAPP Scholarship
- Enrolled in CAPP automotive program at a Marin County high school
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Demonstrate financial need or academic merit
- Submit personal statement and recommendation letter
- Plan to pursue automotive career or trade school
CTE Scholarship
- Enrolled in a CTE program at a Marin County high school
- Any skilled trade pathway (welding, construction, plumbing, electrical)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Submit personal statement and recommendation letter
- Plan to pursue trade school, apprenticeship, or certification
Ready to Apply?
Applications close April 30, 2026. It takes about 20 minutes.