The first cohort of Durham College's (DC) new Electric Vehicle (EV) upskilling program has successfully completed their training, delivered in partnership with Achev. The program gives licensed automotive service and body repair technicians the opportunity to expand their skills as Ontario's auto sector shifts toward electric technology.
Delivered at DC's Whitby campus and funded by the Government of Canada, the free 30-hour EVolveSkills program combines online learning with in-person sessions focused on high-voltage safety, hybrid and electric powertrains, and EV battery systems. A second cohort begins November 18, and registration is now open.
"This program gives licensed automotive professionals a chance to safely explore the technologies driving the shift to electric vehicles," said Mike Frederick, faculty member in DC's Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship. "It's designed to build confidence through hands-on experience with high-voltage systems and components, supported by the same faculty and facilities that deliver our Electric Drive Vehicle Technician (EDVT) program."
The partnership draws on Achev's expertise in workforce development and community engagement. The organization has connected with hundreds of auto shops across Ontario to identify technicians eager to gain new skills that support their career growth.
"The completion of Durham College's first EVolveSkills cohort marks an exciting step forward in preparing Canada's workforce for the electric vehicle transition," said Tanvi Sukhija, Program Manager of the EVolveSkills Initiative at Achev. "This collaboration reflects the power of partnership between education and industry equipping learners with future-ready skills while supporting employers in meeting the growing demand for EV expertise."
For participants, the experience is both practical and future-focused.
"This program helped me build confidence working safely with high-voltage systems and better understand the different types of electric vehicles," said Matthew Fraser, a participant in the program's first cohort. "I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's unfamiliar or uncomfortable with EVs."
DC is one of the first Ontario colleges to deliver the EVolveSkills upskilling program, designed specifically for licensed automotive technicians and apprentices. It complements, but is distinct from, the college's full-time EDVT diploma program, which prepares new students to launch careers in the evolving electric mobility sector.
About the EDVT Program
Offered at DC's Whitby campus, the Electric Drive Vehicle Technician (EDVT) program is delivered over four semesters, designed to prepare graduates for the growing clean-transport sector. Students gain hands-on experience diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing electric and hybrid vehicles, including high-voltage systems, drive systems, battery technologies, and regenerative braking.
Graduates leave with a competitive advantage, combining traditional automotive skills with specialized EV expertise. The program's labs and industry-informed curriculum ensure students are prepared for the evolving automotive sector.
Together, the EVolveSkills upskilling program and the EDVT program demonstrate Durham College's commitment to providing future-focused, industry-connected learning that prepares students and working professionals for success in a rapidly changing sector.
For more information
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa Ontario
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www.durhamcollege.ca/
