Vehicle electrification not only improves air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions but it creates new, high quality jobs in the green economy. As more electric vehicles are deployed throughout the state, Rhode Island will need to develop and train a workforce that is able to service both the vehicles and their charging infrastructure. While community colleges across the country have developed vehicle technician training programs for conventional gasoline powered vehicles, relatively few have developed a full curriculum around electric vehicles, siting lack of funds, expertise, and access to specialized tools and electric vehicles to use within the classroom.  
Rhode Island can lead the way in the green economy by bringing together key stakeholders from across the state—from vehicles technicians to community colleges to original equipment manufacturers—to  develop training programs that provide a wide array of courses to fit the needs of both a well-established and growing workforce by offering both trainings designed for experienced technicians looking to gain electric vehicle expertise and for technicians looking to get into the workforce for the first time.