Webinar: Workforce Development for the EV Charging Sector
June 13, 2023
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) hosted a webinar focused on workforce development for the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector. The webinar included discussion on how to build a diverse and skilled workforce within the electrified transportation industry to support the operation and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure. The webinar highlighted organizations and individuals that are currently providing training to the workforce of the future in the EV charging space.
Panelists:
- Bernie Kotlier, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP)
- Todd Stanford, Electrical Training Alliance
- John Harriel, Jr., Morrow Meadows
- Gabrielle Saylor-Moore, Inglett and Stubb
- Kiana Scott, ChargerHelp.
The webinar brought awareness to the efforts and initiatives to develop expanded access to career-track training and employment in EV charging infrastructure maintenance work for a diversified pipeline of individuals. The webinar also focused on efforts at the federal level to incorporate and support workforce development within the EV charging ecosystem. The webinar covered best practices for the maintenance and operation of EV charging infrastructure.
Key takeaways
- The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program final rule establishes a requirement that the workforce installing, maintaining, and operating the chargers has appropriate licenses, certifications, and training.
- Augmenting the skills of the electric vehicle supply equipment workforce will require significant investments in people and programs.
- The EVITP includes information on installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair for residential, commercial, and industrial charging infrastructure.
- To help build out a dynamic, trained workforce, workforce development efforts can include cross-training options. For instance, people can get trained to perform maintenance for EV charging and they could also service HVAC systems.
- It is important to select a trade that provides a broad skillset while still taking advantage of specific coursework, like EVITP, to develop skills.