Helping to build the workforce of the future, George Brown College recently announced the creation of its Electric Vehicle Technician (EV) Certificate Program, “offering automobile mechanics and technicians, as well as electricians and other tradespeople, the opportunity to upgrade their skills in a sector seeing extraordinary growth.” This new program is delivered online and is asynchronous, which means “students can learn anywhere and at their own pace.”
“Right now, the demand for Electric Vehicles is growing at unprecedented levels, but the infrastructure to support that growth with technicians that can service EVs or maintain charging stations isn’t there yet,” said Colin Simpson, Dean, Centre for Continuous Learning. “The Electric Vehicle Technician Certificate Program will prove valuable in preparing the technicians needed to propel the EV industry forward.”
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there were 1.3 million EVs on the road in 2015, a number that “catapulted to over 10 million by 2020”. The IEA expects that, by 2030, there will be 145 million EVs sold. Numerous manufacturers have reported plans to go fully electric over the next 10 years. There is a clear and growing need for infrastructure advancement in the EV industry; specifically, technicians needed to service EVs and charging stations.
George Brown’s EV program is uniquely positioned to address the global need for skilled workers in diagnosing, servicing and repairing electric vehicles and EV commercial and residential charging stations. The program is asynchronous, allowing learners the ability to access the course on their own schedule, which is crucial for students who may require flexibility to work around their existing schedules.
George Brown’s EV program uses simulation software, called 3DLAB and CircuitLogix, to give learners the “opportunity to safely perform lab experiments and further their understanding of electrical circuits which are fundamental to EV system functions.” Because EVs operate with an extremely high voltage, this simulation software is safe and efficient way to study, offering students the ability to “learn in a real-world environment without the inherent risks involved in working on “live” equipment.”
Although the program is delivered online and is self-directed, students “may rely on the accessibility of staff to assist with anything from technical issues to content-related questions and inquiries. In addition to being accessible to learners with varying schedules, the course has a low cost of $1,750 and flexible payment options suitable for any budget.” For more information on George Brown’s EV program or to register now, visit www.evtechnician.com.
