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Grant will help train more EV technicians

Central Oregon Community College will receive a portion of a $3 million grant to support EV tech training

Gladstone, Ore.—There were two good pieces of news for the industry recently related to Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend, as reported by Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA).

First, COCC will begin offering automotive classes two days per week in the Madras School District, and two evenings per week for adults. These classes will lead to a Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate.

With electric vehicle sales surging in Oregon — 1,900 were newly registered in February alone, about 1 in 6 of new cars sold in the state — the grant will help COCC expand its training program for EV technicians.

COCC will receive a portion of a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help support COCC’s Northwest Engineering and Vehicle Technology Exchange (NEVTEX).

“Ensuring we have trained technicians is a critical part of the infrastructure we need to support the growing number of drivers choosing to go electric,” Sen. Jeff Merkley said of the grant. “This funding will put COCC in the driver’s seat for expanding and supporting this vital and growing sector.”

COCC is one of 15 two-year colleges who will develop or expand EV technician programs under the NEVTEX Next consortium.

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