White Mountains Community College Adds Electric Vehicle Program

Press release from WMCC:

March 28, 2022

Fuel prices are approaching an all-time high, leading to a growing interest in electric vehicles. To address the need for skilled technicians to maintain them, White Mountains Community College (WMCC) is adding a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician certificate to the Automotive Technology program this fall.

The EV programing at the Berlin campus includes four new dedicated classes to prepare students for this emerging workforce need. The curriculum includes a 15-week project where 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.

“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.”

Since the inception of the electric vehicle in 1996, over 5 million hybrid electric automobiles and sport utility vehicles have been sold in the United States. Over the past two years, the number of EV’s registered in New Hampshire doubled and that number is expected to continue to increase rapidly, according to the NH Division of Motor Vehicles. For several years, there has been a significant emphasis on eliminating dependence on petroleum and protecting the environment. These trends have recently been exacerbated by the dramatic increase in the cost of gasoline in early 2022.

WMCC’s one-year Electric Vehicle Technician certificate will prepare students to be proficient technicians in both basic automobile technology and electronic vehicle components. The certificate combines in-depth theory with extensive practical training in a well-equipped lab with state-of-the-art training equipment and curriculum developed in collaboration with Switch Lab. Students will spend an entire semester learning about electric vehicle components, how to build the Switch Glider, assembling it and then driving it. The Switch Lab’s Glider comes as a reusable kit designed to be built, tested, driven and then disassembled for the next class.

“Our students have always asked for more hands-on projects in the automotive technology program,” continued Lachance. “The Switch Glider will provide theory-based curriculum and hands-on exercises for students to build, wire up and drive an electric vehicle. This will allow them to graduate with electric vehicle knowledge, an area that is growing every day.”

The new stackable certificate can be completed in conjunction with the Automotive Technology associate degree, providing versatile skill sets to enhance a graduate’s career prospects. Upon graduation, students are prepared to apply for positions as service technicians, but can also enter careers in sales, parts, and management.

“As students finish the certificate, they will be very comfortable and confident in servicing any electric vehicle that's out there,” 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.”

The Automotive Technology program at WMCC, is a two-year associate degree and certificate that prepares graduates with an extensive knowledge of state-of-the-art mechanical, electronic and computer systems used in today’s automobiles. They will gain expertise in using micrometers, calipers, multimeters, engine analyzers, scan tools, torches and welders, computerized alignment systems, brake lathes and emissions analyzers. Upon graduation, students are prepared to apply for positions in service, sales, parts and management.

The new electric vehicle courses will be offered in the spring for all seniors in their final semester of the Automotive Technology program and the Electric Vehicle certificate program. WMCC offers flexible classes with options for in-person, online and hybrid models. To learn more about the program, contact Troy Lachance at tlachance@ccsnh.edu.

White Mountains Community College (WMCC) is located in Berlin, New Hampshire with satellite campuses in Littleton and North Conway, and is one of seven colleges in the Community College System of New Hampshire. WMCC offers Associate Degree and Certificate programs, plus training options, preparing students for 21st century job opportunities as well as transfer pathways to four-year colleges and universities. WMCC is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Our courses are the most affordable in New Hampshire and our Littleton Academic Center makes us accessible to all students in the North Country Region. Courses are available day, evening and online. WMCC courses transfer to four-year colleges and universities in New Hampshire and across the country. The seven community colleges in the system are committed to working with businesses throughout the state to train and retain employees to develop a robust workforce across all sectors and embraces the "65 by 25 Initiative," which calls for 65% of NH citizens to have some form of postsecondary education by 2025 to meet future workforce demands.

This press release was produced by WMCC. The views expressed here are the author's own.