College Powers at the forefront of electric vehicle education

Raleigh, NC (February 21, 2023) – Wake Tech has been awarded nearly $1 million in federal community project funding for the college to train highly skilled technicians for the emerging electric vehicle (EV) industry. U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross announced the award today at the Hendrick Automotive Excellence Center on Scott’s Northwestern campus.

“Wake Tech plays a vital role in shaping our workforce in Wake County and throughout North Carolina,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “This federal funding will help prepare the next generation of technicians who will move our state and nation closer to our clean energy goals. I fought for this funding because I know WakeTech will continue to lead in workforce development and put us on a path to a more sustainable future.”

The funds will launch new EV training at Wake Tech, providing state-of-the-art EV service and diagnostic equipment and professional development to enhance EV education across four degree programs – Automotive Systems, Collision Repair and Refinement, Diesel. and heavy equipment, and electrical systems technologies.

The scope of the training is unique in that electrical degree students learn how to install and maintain electric vehicle charging stations, and the transportation program teaches students how to carefully inspect and repair electric cars and trucks (with wheelie jacks). .

More than 30 automotive students are enrolled in the first course this semester, which covers workplace safety, hazardous materials and environmental regulations related to electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. The course is being offered in collaboration with EV manufacturer Rivian, and will be the launch of the new EV track in the automotive system next fall. Wake Tech is one of the few North Carolina community colleges that offers electric vehicle training as part of its degree program. The college is developing new short-term, non-degree EV training for technicians at auto dealerships and municipal and public safety workers. The training will enable the college to host an estimated 400 students per year.

The addition of WecTech’s EV training locations as a national leader in EV education will allow the college to access highly trained technicians to support the region’s growing number of electric vehicles and the state’s need to create clean energy jobs. . North Carolina has a goal of producing at least 80,000 registered zero-emission vehicles statewide by 2025. Automotive technician jobs overall in Wake County are expected to grow 3 percent by 2026.

EV training and equipment will create a state-of-the-art industrial environment in the automotive labs at the Hendrick Center and help create a new EV training lab at Wendell’s future East Wake campus.

The funding received community support from state elected officials, Wake County, City of Raleigh, City of Cary, City or Morrisville, Capital Area Workforce Development, Siemens Industries and several local automotive dealers and independent garages.

“Thanks to the new facilities and the growth of our programs, WakeTech is poised to play a key role in unlocking electric vehicle jobs for our region,” said WakeTech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “These new training opportunities put not only our students, but Wake County and North Carolina at the forefront of meeting the workforce needs and educational training requirements for this new technology.”

Weak Tech is connecting young men and women with EV and EV career opportunities with a new Exploring Post that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students ages 14 to 20 meet twice a month at the Hendrick Center and receive hands-on training from Wake Tech faculty. The Career Exploration Program is the first EV-focused exploration post in NC and includes cool projects like designing hoverboards and converting a car from gas to electric to help students make informed decisions about future careers.

Through its Green Trek program, WakeTech promotes sustainable transportation and low-emission and electric vehicle use. The college rewards students and staff who use green vehicles by allocating priority parking spaces and charging stations on campus. Learn more at greentrek.waketech.edu.

January 2023

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