ACTC one of fourteen colleges to participate under the NEVTEX-Next grant for electric vehicle

October 16, 2023

Ashland Community and Technical College has been invited to take part alongside fourteen other colleges as a part of the NEVTEX-Next grant to develop and implement an electric vehicle certificate. This opportunity has the potential to lead to a stand-alone program in the future. 

 

“Electric vehicles are here to stay, and there are few technicians trained to service and repair them,” Shannon McCarty, ACTC Diesel Technology Program Coordinator noted. “This will definitely add another avenue for our students as they enter the workforce.”

 

According to the National Science Foundation website, the NEVTEX-Next grant is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation’s economy. 

 

“We are very excited about this new partnership between ACTC, Central Oregon Community College, and the National Science Foundation,” ACTC Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Brand commented. “Our new electric vehicle repair certificate will move our program into the world of sustainable transportation and improved environmental stewardship.  This initiative embodies our commitment to fostering innovation, embracing cutting edge technology, and driving positive change for our community.”

 

Through the program, ACTC and the other participating colleges will work together to develop a model for educating the electric vehicle technician workforce.  ACTC will be developing a three year plan as they move forward with the grant. 

 

“Our programs focus in the beginning will be on safety when dealing with high voltage systems and will then progress to service, troubleshooting and repair,” McCarty added. “We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles and hopefully, in the future, be able to offer training to provide professionals looking to update their knowledge and skills in this area.”