Triton College to Launch New Electric Vehicle Installation and Maintenance Certificate this Fall
RIVER GROVE, Ill.—Positioning itself at the forefront of workforce development, Triton College is launching a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Installation and Maintenance Certificate Program this fall, expanding its career training opportunities to meet the demands of a fast-growing industry. This industry-aligned program will equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this wing field.
The program will be housed in a cutting-edge learning facility in Triton’s T Building, featuring industry-standard simulation technology and the latest professional-grade equipment.
“Through a $9.4 million Rev Up EV Community College Initiative grant, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) granted 25 community colleges across the state to train students in EV technology and EV specific advanced manufacturing fields,” said Andrea Blaylock, chair of Triton’s Engineering Technology department.
The EV program includes 17 credit hours covering electric systems, safety, ethics, and more. Students will also earn an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Safety and Health Training Completion Card. In addition, students have the opportunity to stack credentials in areas such as Electrical Certificate, which can be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Mechatronics or other related certificates and degree pathways within the Engineering Technology Department. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level careers in the EV industry.
Triton’s Dual Credit partnerships also allow high school students to begin earning college credit while still in high school. School districts include Leyden High School District 212, Elmwood Park High School District 401, Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, Proviso Township High School District 209, Oak Park River Forest High School District 200, Ridgewood High School District 234 and Saint Patrick High School. Students outside of these districts are also welcome to the program.
“Graduates who complete the program have the opportunity to work for many electrical construction companies and contractors, municipalities and EV manufacturers, looking for talent in this field,” said Blaylock. “They can work on the EV infrastructure side that brings online electric vehicle chargers. They can work for an EV car manufacturer, such as Tesla or Rivian.”
According to Blaylock, EV “is a specialized market. Triton is only one of several Illinois community colleges developing an EV charger infrastructure program. As the automotive industry undergoes its largest transformation in a century, Triton's EV program places students at the vanguard of this technological revolution,” she said.
Fueled by Illinois’ commitment to clean energy through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021, electric vehicle sales in the state have jumped 14 percent since 2022.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 80,000 job openings are projected annually in the field.
“EV technology isn’t going anywhere,” said Blaylock. “This program places our students at the center of one of the biggest transformations in the auto industry in over a century.”
Learn more at triton.edu/electricvehicle.
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Media Contacts:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper | melissacooper@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3496
Maryann Dibari | maryanndibari@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3691
ABOUT TRITON COLLEGE Triton College is an institution of higher education dedicated to student success. Triton offers more than 120 degree and certificate programs designed for students to realize their career aspirations and effectively compete in a global economy. The college campus spans 110 acres in River Grove, Illinois, holds classes at satellite locations and offers online learning opportunities. Triton’s exemplary faculty and staff work to provide high-quality, convenient and affordable educational opportunities to more than 10,000 students each year. Triton College is a member of The Community Colleges of Illinois and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Learn more at triton.edu/.