Brookdale Community College Expands EV Training for Automotive Professionals
As the automotive industry rapidly transitions to electric vehicles (EVs), Brookdale Community College is taking the lead in workforce development with its Electric Vehicle Education for New Jersey (EVE-NJ) program. Designed to meet the demand for skilled EV service professionals, this initiative will train automotive technicians and educators, ensuring that New Jersey’s workforce is prepared for the future of transportation.
EVE-NJ establishes a comprehensive EV training program that equips automotive professionals with the expertise needed to service and maintain electric vehicles. As the first community college in New Jersey to incorporate EV-focused education into its curriculum, Brookdale is aligning with Governor Phil Murphy’s mandate for all new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2035.
Brookdale’s Automotive Technology (AT) faculty will revise eight courses within the existing Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Automotive Technology degree program to integrate EV governing standards, ensuring that students graduate fully trained in EV repair and maintenance.
Additionally, Brookdale is launching a five-course stackable certificate program in EV service and repair, designed specifically for working automotive professionals. This flexible program enables incumbent technicians to upgrade their skills while continuing their careers.
Beyond curriculum development, Brookdale is expanding EV training to professionals nationwide. Dean of STEM at Brookdale, Dr. James Crowder, highlighted the college’s national impact.
“Through our EVE-NJ NSF grant and NEVTEX partnership, we’re offering Level 1 EV training to instructors and professionals—from the tri-state area to as far as Washington State,” said Crowder. “By the end of the grant, we’ll be training EV trainers, with support from industry partners eager to get involved.”
Brookdale is committed to supporting automotive faculty and industry professionals statewide by hosting professional development workshops. These sessions will help community colleges and career, and technical high schools establish their own EV programs, ensuring that students across New Jersey have access to cutting-edge training.
“Our program adheres to global standards endorsed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and we already have industry partners, including dealerships, eager to participate in our training,” Crowder added.
Additionally, the EVE-NJ curriculum will be widely shared through NJ Pathways, a partnership between the NJ Council of County Colleges and the NJ Business and Industry Association.
Brookdale’s Automotive Technology program is already recognized as a state leader, enrolling the highest number of students among New Jersey’s community colleges that offer automotive training. Its state-of-the-art facilities, including a 12-bay laboratory and modern classrooms, provide hands-on experience to prepare students for careers in automotive service and EV repair.
With EV adoption accelerating nationwide, the demand for trained EV technicians is rising exponentially. The U.S. automotive industry aims for 50% of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, and New Jersey is leading the charge with progressive clean energy policies. Despite this shift, most community colleges in the state do not offer EV training programs, creating a significant skills gap—one that Brookdale is determined to fill.
By launching EVE-NJ, Brookdale is not just training technicians—it’s training the trainers. This initiative will equip professionals with specialized EV expertise, ensuring New Jersey remains at the forefront of the clean energy revolution while supporting a skilled, adaptable workforce.
For more information about Brookdale Community College’s Automotive Technology Department, please visit the website.
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