Colorado mountain college electric vehicle program development

Colorado Mountain College received a $474,997 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) awarded on October 1, 2025, for the development of a comprehensive Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Charging (EVMC) program. Over the three-year project period (through September 30, 2028), CMC will develop and deliver integrated EV-focused curricula, faculty development training, and specialized equipment to create stackable credentials accessible to high school students, traditional college students, non-traditional learners, and automotive industry employees. The program targets enrollment of 30 students annually by 2027 and serves as a scalable model for nationwide implementation of EV workforce training.

The project's core deliverables include customized curriculum development integrated into CMC's existing Automotive Service Technology framework, faculty advancement in EV maintenance and charging technologies, formation of a regional stakeholder consortium and advisory board, and acquisition of specialized equipment. The initiative addresses critical workforce gaps in Colorado's rapidly growing EV sector while supporting the state's ambitious EV adoption goals. CMC will conduct program evaluation to assess curriculum effectiveness on participant skill acquisition and industry readiness, generating findings to inform future curriculum development and workforce training programs across the nation.

Abstract

This project at colorado mountain college (CMC) aligns with national, state and regional priorities by addressing workforce needs in the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) market, supporting colorado's ambitious EV adoption targets. Colorado mountain college (CMC) will launch a three-year project aimed at building the foundations of an EV maintenance and charging (evmc) program and evaluating its effectiveness. Curricula for this project will be integrated into its automotive service technology framework to offer stackable credentials and accessible training for high school, traditional college, and non-traditional students. Key activities of this project include faculty development, curriculum customization, specialized equipment acquisition, and stakeholder advisory input, ensuring alignment with workforce demands. The evmc program will enroll CMC students, the public, and employees of the automotive industry. CMC's internal combustion engine program alone enrolls over 250 students annually. By 2027, the goal is to enroll 30 students per year in this program to enhance workforce access and economic resilience in rural colorado. Leveraging proven curricula and stakeholder partnerships, the project will serve as a scalable model for nationwide impact while addressing critical gaps in EV education and training. The project aims to establish a comprehensive evmc program to address growing workforce demands. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of developed curricula in EV maintenance and EV charging, addressing their impact on 1) participants' skill acquisition and 2) industry readiness. Findings will inform curriculum development and workforce training programs, contributing to the sustainable growth of the EV sector. Key objectives include equipping faculty with advanced EV training, developing an EV-specific curriculum, forming a regional consortium and advisory board, acquiring specialized equipment, and sharing best practices. The evmc program will integrate EV-focused courses into CMC's certificates and associated degrees, offering stackable credentials that lead up to a bachelor's degree. By advancing technology fields in colorado's western slope region, this project aligns with the nation's rapidly growing workforce needs and serves as a model for advancing EV workforce capacity, educational access, and rural economic development. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.