On May 20, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held a field hearing in Michigan on the development of the electric vehicle workforce.
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) highlighted the need for workforce training that can meet the demands of new investments in infrastructure, including electric vehicle manufacturing and related infrastructure, such as charging stations.
“We will need a highly trained workforce capable of installing and maintaining these charging stations,” said Stevens. “Unfortunately, we may be faced with a shortage of these qualified electricians right when we need them the most. We have heard from stakeholders that in Southeast Michigan, about 35% of this workforce is retirement-ready and may leave in the next 5 to 7 years.”
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) added that the semiconductor manufacturing provisions included in the America COMPETES Act would go a long way toward solving many of these challenges.
“These technologies have the potential to launch entirely new industries,” said Johnson. “But the vision laid out in COMPETES can only be realized if we have a skilled STEM workforce in place to translate research and innovation into products and services.”
Jennifer Mefford, national co-chair of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), emphasized the importance of registered apprenticeships.
“The best way to get more qualified electricians into the field is through U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs and quality pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare and place individuals in registered apprenticeship programs.”
Ben Cruz, director of the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT) at Macomb Community College, noted the current shortages of electric vehicle workers.
“Currently, we have a shortage locally in EV technical skilled workers that needs attention,” said Cruz. “Representatives from several of the companies I’ve named have come to Macomb Community College to look for potential employees. In most cases, they are also looking for training programs to upskill their incumbent workers. Developing courses and training programs in emerging technologies requires input from industry experts.”
You can watch the full hearing here.
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