EV Skills Training Expands to Three More Schools in B.C.

March 23, 2022

More British Columbians can upgrade their skills to work on electric vehicles (EVs) through the expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program to three more post-secondary institutions, reaching more B.C. communities.

“We’re supporting the growing popularity of electric vehicles by helping auto technicians develop the skills they need to work on EVs in service centres across B.C.,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “The expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program will help grow our EV sector and make it even easier for British Columbians to make the switch to an EV, putting us on the road to a cleaner, better future.”

Under the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric program and in partnership with Trades Training BC, the program will soon be offered at Vancouver Island University, College of the Rockies and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. This expansion will prepare British Columbians for good-paying jobs of the future.

“Through CleanBC, we’re accelerating the transition to electric vehicles and helping people get the skills they need to compete in the clean economy,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “The expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program will mean more opportunities for people in B.C.’s rapidly growing EV industry. By working with post-secondary institutions and the trades sector, we’re helping to reduce emissions and building a cleaner, better future for everyone.”

The British Columbia Institute of Technology launched the EV Maintenance Training program in 2019 to provide Red Seal automotive technicians with the skills they need to work on EVs. In 2021, the program was expanded to Okanagan College, College of New Caledonia and Camosun College.

“As more electric vehicles hit the road in B.C., we need to ensure people are trained to service them,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “By working with these post-secondary institutions, we’re preparing our workforce for a clean, innovative economy and giving British Columbians the confidence to go electric, knowing their EVs can be serviced by a professional.”

Red Seal automotive technicians wanting to upgrade their skills in EV maintenance should check each college’s website for course details coming soon. Pilot training is expected to begin at the three additional institutions in fall 2022.

The EV Maintenance Training program aligns with the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which details a range of expanded actions to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future and to achieve B.C.’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets. These actions include strengthening the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Act to require automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty ZEV sales and leases, reaching 26% of light-duty vehicle sales by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035 – five years ahead of the original target.

The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 is B.C.’s plan to expand and accelerate climate action building on the province’s natural advantages – abundant, clean electricity, high-value natural resources and a highly skilled workforce. It sets a path for increased collaboration to build a British Columbia that works for everyone.

Quick Facts:

• As of the end of December 2021, 96 automotive technicians have completed the EV Maintenance Training program through the four institutions that currently offer the program.
• British Columbia was the first place in the world to have a 100% zero-emission vehicles law and is leading North America in uptake rates of EVs at 13% of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2021.
• Trades Training BC is a consortium of 15 B.C. public post-secondary educational institutions created to promote trades training in British Columbia. Its primary function is to encourage students and others considering career retraining to explore trades as a viable career option.

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