As fuel prices reach historic highs, the interest in electric vehicles continues to climb as well, and a new program at White Mountains Community College aims at addressing the need for skilled technicians to maintain the vehicles with a new certificate program.
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician certificate will begin this fall as part of WMCC’s automotive technology program this fall at the Berlin campus.
The curriculum includes a 15-week project during which students in their final semester will learn to build a Switch Glider, a three-wheeled electric vehicle that was designed to be used in academic settings for students to gain direct experience on how electric vehicles operate.
Troy Lachance, WMCC automotive technology instructor, working with students on the Switch Glider, a three-wheeled electric vehicle that was designed to be used in academic settings for students to gain direct experience on how electric vehicles operate. (Photo courtesy White Mountains Community College)
“Major vehicle manufacturing companies have made commitments to have all electric vehicles in their fleet as early as 2025,” said Troy Lachance, WMCC automotive technology instructor. “The increased production and commitment provide employment opportunities in various positions throughout the industry.”
“The Switch Glider will provide theory-based curriculum and hands-on exercises for students to build, wire up and drive an electric vehicle,” said Lachance. “All of the components in the Switch Glider emulate exactly what a modern production electric vehicle has, so they can take these skills to any manufacturer for employment in this area, if they choose. It’s a highly marketable skill right now.”
According to WMCC, over the past two years, the number of EVs registered in New Hampshire has doubled and that number is expected to continue to increase rapidly.
