Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario – On Tuesday, October 15, Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament, Niagara Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, announced a $365,854 investment from the federal government into Niagara College’s Motive Power program.
This funding will be matched by the college through the 2023 Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy ‘Investments in Training Equipment’ program stream.
Collision Repair magazine reached out to Wayne Toth, professor and program coordinator of Niagara College’s Motive Power program who commented that it is “an innovative program that is giving students the chance to get hands-on experience analyzing and solving complex motive system programs. With the guidance of experienced faculty, students learn to diagnose and repair mechanical, electronic and electrical motive power components and systems in state-of-the-art labs.”
Toth continued that, “unique to Niagara College, students gain exposure to electric and hybrid vehicle technology in the Green Automotive Technology Lab, including high voltage battery rebuilding, testing and repair. The option for a paid co-op work term gives students the chance to build practical work experience in the field.”
According to Toth, the goal of the Motive Power program is “to train students for in-demand careers in the automotive industry through in-class, experiential education and hands-on work in the industry through co-op placement.”
With this most recent funds from the federal government, Toth outlined how “as a leader in green automotive technology, the investment will advance the college’s ability to train students on hybrid and electric vehicle technology, including high voltage battery rebuilding, testing and repair. The funding is supporting the acquisition of new vehicles, battery and charging equipment, enabling students to master complex vehicle repair and diagnostics—in-demand skills for careers in the evolving auto industry.”
More specifically, the college has “purchased an electric Chevrolet Silverado, Blazer, BMW 14, Ford Mustang Mach-E and a Toyota Mirai Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In addition, the college purchased new battery and charging equipment and will invest in new solar charging and hydrogen filling stations in the lab.”
Toth concluded that ultimately, “this will ensure our students graduate with the expertise to put them in high demand as general repair shops service more hybrid and electric vehicles.”
