Automotive technicians in Victoria can align their skills with the low-carbon economy through an electric vehicle (EV) maintenance training pilot program at Camosun College.

“With more than 60,000 electric vehicles on the road, British Columbia is leading the country in the transition to EVs,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “We’re supporting this transition by helping auto technicians develop the skills they need to work on EVs throughout the province. This will give British Columbians the confidence to go electric knowing their EVs can be serviced by a professional.”

In March 2021, the Province announced $440,000 for the expansion of EV Maintenance Training program through the CleanBC Go Electric program to three additional B.C. colleges in partnership with Trades Training BC. The program provides Red Seal automotive technicians with the skills they need to work on EVs, supports the growing demand for EVs in B.C. and prepares British Columbians for good-paying jobs in the burgeoning clean-energy economy.

The program is being piloted as two one-week in-person courses at Camosun College’s Interurban campus in Greater Victoria and is offered regularly at the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) Burnaby campus, where the program was launched in 2020. Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus and the College of New Caledonia’s Prince George campus held course pilots this year.

“Our government is helping people get the skills and training they need for job opportunities in B.C.’s clean economy,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “By working with Camosun and other post-secondary institutions through CleanBC, we’re supporting B.C.’s growing electric-vehicle sector and building a better future together where all cars and trucks emit zero pollution.”

The EV Maintenance Training program aligns with the recently released CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which details a range of expanded actions to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future and to achieve B.C.’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets. These actions include strengthening the Zero-Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Act to require automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty ZEV sales and leases, reaching 26% of light-duty vehicle sales by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, which would be five years ahead of the original target.

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy.

Quotes:

Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training –

“Education and skills training are an essential part of the CleanBC Roadmap. As we work toward these CleanBC goals, we are ensuring workers will be able to access educational opportunities that will broaden their knowledge and help them adapt to new technologies."

Andrew Mercier, Parliamentary Secretary for Skills Training –

“The hands-on training these programs provide give people the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s economy. Preparing our workforce for a clean, innovative economy ensures all British Columbians can take advantage of the opportunities that a greener future offers.”

Guy Ellis, president and CEO, Trades Training BC –

“The ongoing investment in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and training supports B.C. moving forward with emerging technologies to reduce transportation’s carbon footprint. Post-secondary schools working together along with industry and government aligns with Trades Training BC’s strategic priorities of collaboration and innovation. This is one more example in which trades and trades workers are proving to be integral to the CleanBC strategy and a more sustainable environment for all of us.”

Patrick Jones, automotive technician program leader, Camosun College –

“We are super excited to be launching specialized electric vehicle training at Camosun College and look forward to sharing knowledge and skills in this dynamic field with Vancouver Island automotive service technicians. We appreciate the investment the ministry has made to ensure our school is prepared with the vehicles and equipment necessary to provide top-notch technical training.”

Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich-South –

“This new program at Camosun will increase the number of auto repair shops that offer electric vehicle repair and help more people make the switch to electric. We are working toward a cleaner future for B.C. and that’s why we are supporting Camosun’s efforts to offer this important training.”

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia was the first place in the world to have a 100% zero-emission vehicles law and is leading North America in uptake rates of EVs at nearly 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2020.
• Trades Training BC is a consortium of 15 B.C. public post-secondary educational institutions created to promote trades training in British Columbia. Trades Training BC's primary function is to encourage students and others considering career retraining to explore trades as a viable career option.

Learn More:

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

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

To learn more about the suite of CleanBC Go Electric programming, visit:
www.gov.bc.ca/zeroemissionvehicles

To learn more about the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, visit: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/