January 21, 2015 – To support the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and increase sales of EVs, the Province of British Columbia is providing $50,000 to help certified electricians receive training in the installation and maintenance of EV charging stations.

Funding from the Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Program will be provided to EJTC Enterprises (E2Inc)—a subsidiary of the Electrical Joint Training Committee—to subsidize course fees for participants in E2Inc’s electric vehicle infrastructure training program (EVITP).

The EVITP helps ensure quality and standardization of the installation of EV charging infrastructure, and supports the development of the workforce in the EV sector.

“Our labour-contractor partnership is working to consolidate British Columbia’s position as the Canadian leader in training for emerging and energy-efficient electrical technologies,” said E2Inc chair Graham Trafford. “The government’s support for electric vehicle infrastructure training underlines the need to protect public safety and power grid integrity by making qualified, certified tradespeople available to install and maintain complex electrical systems.”

All Red Seal-certified electrical installers, inspectors and instructors are eligible for additional certification through EVITP. Course participants gain a broad-based knowledge of EV operation and maintenance, best practices in the safe and cost-effective installation of EV infrastructure, industry terminology and leading-edge technologies, utility policy and integration, and applicable CE Code standards and requirements.

The training also includes information on the province’s CEV program so that electricians can raise customer awareness of incentives that are available for the purchase of EVs and installation of charging infrastructure. Since 2011, the CEV program has supported the purchase of more than 2200 EVs and the development of over 1000 charging stations.

E2Inc is a Port Coquitlam-based training organization for the electrical sector, offering direct-to-client and train-the-trainer services at locations throughout the province. The EJTC, E2Inc’s parent organization, is a partnership between IBEW Local 213, the Electrical Contractors Association of B.C. and the Marine Employers.

SEE ALSO our video “NETCO says EV charging equipment is electrician work… period”

EVITP is offered in two formats:

• Delivery directly to electrical installers and electrical inspectors, who are dealing with the installation process.

• Delivery to electrical trainers. Upon successful completion of the program, these educators receive EVITP certification, as well as curriculum and all materials necessary to deliver the program to electrical students.