Riverland Community College has been awarded a $60,000 EmployED 2025 grant to expand its Auto Services Technology program with a new Electric Vehicle Certificate. The grant, received in August 2025, will support program development through August 2026.

The Electric Vehicle Certificate will be available as both a stand-alone credential for incumbent workers and an additional option for current and future Riverland students. Faculty and staff will spend the next year building the curriculum, securing required approvals and preparing to launch the certificate to meet the growing workforce demand for electric vehicle technicians.

“This grant is an important step forward for Riverland as we continue to align our programs with emerging workforce needs,” said Janelle Koepke, dean of institutional advancement. “The Electric Vehicle Certificate will give our students and local workers the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing transportation industry.”

Kim Nelson, academic dean of construction trades, transportation and manufacturing, emphasized the impact for the region. “Adding this certificate strengthens our Auto Services Technology program and positions Riverland as a leader in preparing students for careers in electric vehicle service,” Nelson said. “We are proud to offer training that directly benefits our students, local employers and communities.”

The grant for the Electric Vehicle Certificate has been awarded by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), made possible by a grant from General Motors Corporate Giving. The programming will be developed by a team that includes Kim Nelson as grant manager and Auto Services Technology faculty member Jack Longress.