Electric vehicle technology training for automotive instructors

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Central Oregon Community College $2,595,951 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to establish three certified electric vehicle instructor training centers, train more than 460 instructors through certification and advanced diagnostics programs, and support the development of national EV training standards.

The project addresses the shortage of qualified instructors capable of teaching evolving electrification technologies in high-voltage systems, battery technologies, power electronics, diagnostics, and safety across automotive, marine, and aviation industries. Community colleges and secondary school career and technical education programs require faculty expertise to meet workforce demands as electric transportation expands nationwide. The award funds hands-on training, industry-recognized certifications, advanced diagnostic instruction, and alignment with emerging technologies and national industry standards. Dissemination of curricula, certification processes, and best practices will enable additional institutions to strengthen EV programs and expand access to high-quality EV technician education, particularly in rural communities.

The award is classified as a Project Grant with no sub-recipients planned. Work is performed in Bend, Oregon, with a period of performance running from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029. The funding builds on prior NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) investments and is evaluated under NSF's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Abstract

This project will strengthen the nation's capacity to prepare a skilled electric vehicle (EV) workforce by addressing the shortage of qualified instructors capable of teaching rapidly evolving electrification technologies. As electric transportation expands across the automotive, marine, and aviation industries, community colleges and secondary school career and technical education programs need faculty with expertise in high-voltage systems, battery technologies, power electronics, diagnostics, and safety. Expanding instructor capacity is essential to meeting workforce demands and supporting the nation's economic competitiveness and sustainability goals. The project will establish three certified EV instructor training centers, train more than 460 instructors through certification and advanced diagnostics programs, and support the continued development of national training standards. Building on prior NSF advanced technological education (ATE) investments, the project will provide hands-on training, industry-recognized certifications, advanced diagnostic instruction, and alignment with emerging technologies and national industry standards. Broader impacts will occur by expanding access to high-quality EV technician education, particularly in rural communities. Dissemination of curricula, certification processes, and best practices will enable more institutions to strengthen EV programs and prepare technicians for the rapidly growing electric transportation workforce. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program, which 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.