Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced Sept. 29 that a $474,314 grant from the National Science Foundation will be awarded to Camden County College that will be used to create an electric and hybrid vehicle technician training program.
“This investment will train the next generation of auto technicians in South Jersey to service electric vehicles and create good paying jobs in our community,” said Norcross, a graduate of Camden County College. “With New Jersey roads expected to see more than 2 million electric vehicles by 2035, Camden County College will lead the way in making sure our students are ready to work on the technology of the future.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the United States will need 35,000 additional EV technicians by 2028, yet existing training programs aren’t producing enough graduates to meet this demand. Unlike gasoline-powered cars, EVs require specialized knowledge of high-voltage systems, battery management, and advanced driver-assistance systems.
This award comes through National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, which supports technician training in high-demand technology fields that drive America’s economy focusing on two-year Institutions of Higher Education.
“This grant will equip our automotive technology students with the specialized training to safely service all aspects of new model EVs,” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, president of Camden County College. “These high-demand skills will set our graduates apart, making them workforce ready and positioning them to excel in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.”
Camden County College has long been a hub of higher education in South Jersey, and this funding will strengthen opportunities for students by creating a specialized curriculum focused on hybrid and electric vehicles. It will provide state-of-the-art instruction and nationally recognized credentials, while also offering training for local workers and professional development for educators.
