British Columbia has expanded its upgrading program so more technicians can be trained to work on electric vehicles (EVs) through the expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program to three more post-secondary institutions.

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.

“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.

In 2021, the program was expanded to Okanagan College, College of New Caledonia and Camosun College.

“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.

“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.

To learn more about Vancouver Island University, visit: https://www.viu.ca/

To learn more about College of the Rockies, visit: https://cotr.bc.ca/

To learn more about Kwantlen Polytechnic University, visit: https://www.kpu.ca/

Existing programs

To learn more about the initial BCIT EV training program, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019EMPR0113-002331

To learn more about Okanagan College, visit: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/

To learn more about the College of New Caledonia, visit: https://cnc.bc.ca/

To learn more about Camosun College, visit: http://camosun.ca/

To learn more about Trades Training BC, visit: https://www.tradestrainingbc.ca/