Advancing BC's Automotive Technology Programs

As part of California's effort to make light-duty zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) accessible to all Californians, Bakersfield College (BC) is partnering with Valley Clean Air Now (ValleyCAN), General Motors Motor City, Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealership Association (GBNCDA) and other partners to expand access to critical, hands-on electric vehicle related curriculum coursework, training programs, and workforce strategies to create direct pathways to ZEV job creation in the San Joaquin Valley region.

Bakersfield College is located in Kern County - an area that has an Automotive Repair and Maintenance need of 2,230 jobs making an average earning of $43,500. This industry is estimated to have a total GDP for Kern County of $173,000,000.00.

Bakersfield College will play a leadership role in:

• Develop noncredit and credit curriculum that meets industry needs and leads to credit credential and degree programs.
• Program participants will include incumbent technicians and nontechnical staff. Local auto repair shops will also be invited to enroll incumbent technicians.
• Coordinate the schedule of training in the 8-week modules during the Fall and Spring Semester and (if instructors are available) during the summer expanding our opportunities.
• Coordinate with local dealers association (GBNCDA) to setup and implement the shop management system.
• Provide computer workstations and IT support.
• Ensure that the program is implemented in compliance with industry and educational accreditation requirements.
• Implement equipment and training on electrical vehicle and hybrid vehicle technologies.
• Cross-promote and link this opportunity with other college initiatives (e.g., HireUP, etc.)

Existing and Emerging Partnerships Include:

• Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG): Under California Energy Commission (CEC) GFO-19-603 Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Communities Challenge Phase II Blueprint Plan Implementation awarded to Kern Council of Governments (COG), Bakersfield College obliged to develop and provide education and skill training to technicians servicing, maintaining, and repairing electric charging stations and committed 25% match funding through the Strong Workforce Program. This project will address barriers to the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Kern County, accelerate the growth of a regional workforce capable of supporting a growing electric transportation industry in the San Joaquin Valley, and advance electrified transportation in and between Kern County communities in ways that provide convenient, safe, and clean transportation for a broad spectrum of residents. Specifically, a minimum of seventeen Level 2 and four Direct Current Fast Charging EV charging units will be installed across a minimum of six sites and the project team will launch an e-bike lending pilot program to expand access to local clean mobility options. Infrastructure to support workforce development (namely installation and maintenance technicians and drivers) will be installed at Bakersfield College including one BEAM EV ARC and two Level 2 chargers to support training for careers in transit, school transportation, EV infrastructure installation, EV technicians, and EV charging station maintenance and repair. Marketing and communication activities under the project will include outreach activities, hosting of the 2022 and 2023 TRANSITions Transit Symposiums, public events and training workshops, and launch of a mass-media marketing campaign. Under this agreement, BC will expand its current electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment installation curriculum and program, while providing hands-on training at scale to meet the goals of the Phase II Blueprint Plan. The curriculum developed will establish BC as a leader in training technicians for current and future EV technologies.
• ValleyCAN for "Electrify America":Bakersfield College and ValleyCAN have partnered to develop curriculum to train and upskill the next generation of auto technicians qualified to diagnose and repair plug-in electric vehicles. The program aims to secure well-paying jobs in this in demand growing career field. The first cohort to take the introductory course, successfully completed at Bakersfield College in Summer, 2021.
• Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealers Association:Bakersfield College will partner with the Greater Bakersfield New Car Dealer Association (GBNCDA), WSM Auctions, and other automotive industry partners on an upcoming automotive facility, to be located at Pacheco Road and Corrine St, at the Bakersfield Auto Mall. This new facility will provide much needed space for auto technology training and will expand student access to newer vehicles for hands-on mechanical and reconditioning experience. It has a tentative opening planned for January, 2022. Under this partnership, Bakersfield College's skilled Automotive Technology faculty will bring a newly developed comprehensive curriculum focused on preparing new students for the rapidly evolving automotive business and service industry jobs. This will be in addition to non-credit offerings for current technicians to expand on their skill set with supplemental training for community members who also wish to explore this industry as a potential career.

Electric Vehicle Program Interest Form

You may have read about our partnership to create a new technology facility and our intentions of developing a program for developing skills in electronic vehicle technology. We are looking to add classes in addition to our Introduction to Electric Vehicles.

If you are interested in an Electric Vehicle training program, fill out this Electric Vehicle Training Interest Form.