RALEIGH, N.C. (April 19, 2024) – Wake Tech is ramping up its electric vehicle training thanks to a $636,128 National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education (ATE) grant.
The project, named Curriculum Integration in Training EVs (CITE), launches a new advanced certification program that will train automotive students how to safely maintain and repair electric and hybrid vehicles in the rapidly growing EV sector. . The next generation of safety-focused education will be North Carolina's first two-year EV technician training program and serve as a model for 57 other community colleges in the state.
Wake Tech officials celebrated the funding Friday with a special visit from U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to the university's Hendrick Automotive Excellence Center on the Scott Northern Wake Campus. Wake Tech Board of Directors Chairman Jamie Thomas, North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox, and Wake Tech's Director of Transportation Technology Rick Sapienza took a tour of the university's automotive training program.
“We are excited to lead the development of this new, high-demand electric vehicle training program in our state,” said Dr. Scott Ralls, President of Wake Tech. “As the EV market continues to grow significantly, it is important that we help train highly skilled technicians to support the growing number of EV maintenance and repairs in the region.”
Building on Wake Tech's existing EV training and labs, this project includes:
- Developed four EV courses with safety-focused hands-on lab training and video modules
- Two EV and hybrid vehicle-specific training bays have been added to the Hendrick Center Automotive Lab, bringing the total to six.
- EV and hybrid technology professional development training to improve faculty skills on the latest equipment and latest industry standards
In addition to automotive students, the project aims to recruit existing automotive technicians, first responders, and women into the certification program, scheduled to begin in fall 2025.
Wake Tech continues to establish itself as a national leader in EV education. The university already includes EV instruction as part of its Automotive Systems Technology degree program, thanks to nearly $1 million in federal community project funding the university received last year.
Wake Tech has received 23 NSF awards since 1978, including 15 ATE projects.
