The college is a recipient of $350,000 from the National Science Foundation that will be used to develop training modules to address knowledge gaps in trades critical for the transition to battery-operated electric vehicles. Dr. Chris McNally, professor and interim department chair for Applied Technologies and Jim Countryman, assistant professor, are the principal investigators on the grant.
HVCC adding training program for the EV charging industry
Justin Dawes / Albany Business Review / April 18, 2022
Business is quickly increasing for a couple of Capital Region electric vehicle charging station vendors as the state pushes for a transition away from gas vehicles.
Last year, Livingston Energy Group surpassed $10 million in revenue. And Plugin Stations Online is busy for the next several years with contracts all over the state.
That means a need for workers has increased in that area, too.
Livingston was up to 15 people in 2020, and it had expanded to nearly 45 people this past March. The founders expect they could have 60-70 employees by the end of the year and around 150 in the next three to four years. Plugin is hiring more people as it continues working on installations, including for Stewart’s.
But because of the novelty of the industry, there’s a lack of workers with the relevant skills.
The majority of the team at Livingston Energy Group has gone through some sort of internship or other type of training program with the company.
Jason Zarillo, Livingston co-founder, said in March: “We can’t hire people that already have experience in what we’re doing. They don’t exist because it’s a brand new industry, so everybody here has had to come here and learn.”
That’s why the Livingston has been working to push curriculum initiatives with Capital Region colleges.
These charging station companies could benefit from new curriculum being developed at Hudson Valley Community College to address the lack of skills for the EV charging station industry.
“The exponential growth in vehicle electrification throughout our nation and the globe requires a new generation of technicians and electricians with the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce landscape,” stated Roger Ramsammy, HVCC president, in a press release sent by the office of Congressman Paul Tonko. “This proactive and focused project will accelerate our work with industry and governmental partners and deliver innovative educational opportunities that specifically address the knowledge and skills gap between current students and potential employers.”
The initiative is being supported by a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
The state now has more than 98,000 electric vehicles as of April 1, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, though many of those are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that also include a gasoline engine.
Gov. Kathy Hochul last fall signed a law banning the sale of gasoline-fueled cars and trucks by 2035.
Published: Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:15:12 +0000 by d.gardner