(no-name)

To meet 21st-century goals for electrified transportation (ET), the U.S. skilled technical workforce requires accessible, sustainable education and training programs able to re/up/skill workers’ knowledge and abilities to implement emerging technologies. The accelerating shift to ubiquitous ET generates an urgent need to implement non-degree credentialing (NDC) programs, such as certificates, badges, and on-the-job training programs, to provide work-based learning, job signaling, and broadly accessible employment pathways to meet looming workforce demands. In this exploratory study, we examined recent data made public by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2023) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) (2021) to identify potential role(s) of NDC programs within ET industry sectors.

BLS (2023) data portray a growing demand for technicians and specialists in electric vehicle manufacturing, maintenance, and powered infrastructure construction. Moreover, advanced training in powered infrastructure and electric vehicle charging technology promises to bridge current skill gaps and provide meaningful employment opportunities. IEA (2021) data highlights a global shift toward electric mobility, underscoring the need for a sustainable skilled workforce to support this transition. The study analyzed four NDC programs, assessing their effectiveness in equipping individuals with competencies required in ET sectors. Findings suggest NDC programs offer flexible, cost-effective training solutions and support rapid workforce adjustment to technological improvements. However, requirements to continuously align NDC programs with industry needs represent challenges currently unmet.

Recommendations from our analysis include the need for an ET sector-standardized NDC framework and close collaboration between industry, academia, and not-for-profit organizations to keep pace with evolving technologies.

Poster: Posters_ISS2025_FoedayZinnah