Events
Wake Tech Amps Up EV Education
College Developing Advanced Training to Safely Maintain and Repair EVs
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 19, 2024) – Wake Tech is amping up its electric vehicle training, thanks to a $636,128 National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant.
The project, named Curriculum Integration in Training EVs, or CITE, will jump-start a new advanced certificate program that will train automotive students how to safely maintain and repair electric and hybrid vehicles in the fast-growing EV field. The next generation, safety-focused education will be the first two-year EV technician training program in North Carolina and will serve as a model for the other 57 community colleges in the state.
Wake Tech officials celebrated the funding Friday during a special visit from U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to the college's Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence at the Scott Northern Wake Campus. Wake Tech Board Chair Jamie Thomas, North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox and Wake Tech Dean of Transportation Technologies Rick Sapienza joined the tour of the college's automotive training programs.
"We are excited to lead the development of this new, high-demand electric vehicle training program for our state," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "As the significant growth in the EV market continues, it is critical that we support the training of highly skilled technicians to support the maintenance and repair of the increasing number of EVs in the region."
Building on existing EV training and labs at Wake Tech, the project includes the following:
- Development of four EV courses that incorporate hands-on lab training and a video module focused on safety
- Addition of two dedicated EV and hybrid vehicle training bays, bringing the total to six in the automotive labs at the Hendrick Center
- EV and hybrid technology professional development training to upskill faculty on modern instrumentation and the latest industry standards
In addition to automotive students, the project aims to recruit existing automotive technicians, emergency responders and women into the certificate program, which is slated to launch in Fall 2025.
Wake Tech continues to emerge as a national leader in EV education. The college is already incorporating EV instruction as part of its Automotive Systems Technology degree program, thanks to nearly $1 million in federal Community Project funds the college received last year.
Wake Tech has received 23 NSF awards since 1978, including 15 ATE projects.
