The president and chief executive officer of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., is calling for more electric vehicle workforce training as zero-emission vehicle adoption continues to grow in British Columbia.
In a June 9 press release, Blair Qualey wrote that the transition to electric vehicles depends on trained workers as well as technology.
“As British Columbia accelerates toward broader adoption of Electric Vehicles, one reality is becoming increasingly clear—the success of this transition depends as much on people as it does on technology,” he said.
B.C. zero-emission vehicle sales rose 36% in February compared with the previous month, according to the column. Dealers across the province are selling multiple EVs every day, increasing demand for trained technicians, sales staff and service professionals.
The statement cites a recent Electric Mobility Canada report calling for governments to better align workforce funding and training priorities with EV-specific needs.
EVs require different skills from internal combustion vehicles because they are built around high-voltage battery systems. Gaps remain in battery safety, battery recycling, hazardous materials handling and internal dealership, sales and collision repair practices, according to the column.
“Battery manufacturing, recycling and end-of-life management require advanced technical skills and rigorous safety protocols, yet significant gaps remain in the training currently available,” Qualey wrote.
It proposed several possible measures, including expanded pilot programs, partnerships between EV manufacturers and Canadian post-secondary institutions and tiered high-voltage and battery safety training programs.
Qualey added the existing shortage of technicians is making the EV training issue more urgent. It says governments should fund OEM-led shared training hubs with access to specialized equipment and provide more grants to post-secondary institutions and training providers for baseline EV training.
The column also links EV workforce planning to charging infrastructure. B.C. needs more charging infrastructure, including access for people in large apartment buildings and rural areas, according to the column.
More workers will also be needed to install, maintain and repair Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Recommendations cited in the column include scaling charging-network training programs, encouraging charging providers to train installers and maintenance staff and funding train-the-trainer programs.
The column also notes that B.C.’s Look West strategy includes $241 million over three years for in-demand jobs, while the federal government has announced a $6 billion trades plan.
“In both cases, our sector is awaiting details that indicate if/how the auto industry may benefit,” Qualey said.
