The partnership between SkillFusion and Bevill State Community College includes collaboration on a complete training curriculum and certification program to ensure students certified as EVSE Diagnostic Technicians, are ready to provide much needed maintenance and repair to EV chargers across North America.
June 27, 2024 — Detroit, MI — SkillFusion, an industry-first software platform for electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) operations and maintenance (O&M) providers, has announced a partnership with Bevill State Community College to offer a complete training curriculum for the operation, maintenance, and repair of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in collaboration with Alabama Power. This first-of-its-kind public private partnership is aligned to support the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network (AEITCN)—a workforce development partnership between the Alabama State Legislature, the Alabama Community College System, Alabama Power and other industry partners—aimed at equipping Alabama workers for careers in the emerging world of vehicle electrification.
In collaboration with Bevill State Community College, SkillFusion is providing the AEITCN with the cutting-edge skill enhancement software and necessary curriculum development to address the increasing demand for certified workers to maintain and repair EV charging stations. SkillFusion’s groundbreaking EVSE Diagnostic Technician (EDT) credentialing program provides charger-agnostic skill enhancement and certification covering the full spectrum of skills needed to support EV charger operations. SkillFusion’s skill enhancement programs will help people develop a valuable skill set, earn an industry certified credential, and enhance their professional credibility and work readiness.
“We are honored to be working with Bevill State Community College to provide students with hands-on training and a skill enhancement platform to ensure students are ready to tackle the real issues they will face while in the field,” said Elaina Farnsworth, Co-founder and CEO, SkillFusion. “Together we are ensuring students can develop a valuable skill set, earn an industry certified credential, and enhance their professional credibility—unlocking career opportunities in a growth sector.”
As students complete their EDT certification, they are placed within SkillFusion’s proprietary database of certified technicians—both for electrical and non-electrical workers—which allows EVSE O&M providers the ability to access a skilled labor pool to fulfill service obligations—unlocking unlimited job potential for those who have completed the EDT program.
“Providing our students with advanced skills that meet industry demands is a cornerstone of our mission at Bevill State Community College,” said Dr. Joel Hagood, President of Bevill State Community College. “Our partnership with SkillFusion exemplifies our commitment to innovative workforce development and ensures our graduates are prepared for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow. This collaboration not only benefits our students but also contributes to the broader goal of advancing Alabama’s workforce.”
“Providing young people the opportunity to gain skills for impactful careers is incredibly important for Alabama’s future,” remarked Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed. “Investing in our students today will position Alabama for a bright tomorrow. The Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network at Bevill State Community College will be a unique facility in Alabama for workforce development connecting talented job seekers and job creators all across the southeast. This new facility will be impactful for our local communities and the state of Alabama, and I am proud of the efforts of Bevill State Community College and Alabama Power to make this a reality.”
“Alabama Power is committed to programs that promote innovation and growth in the state,” said Alabama Power CEO Jeff Peoples. “The work of the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center provides individuals with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and build meaningful careers in the energy industry. We’re proud to be a part of this effort and grateful that SkillFusion shares our commitment to workforce development in Alabama.”
The primary location of the AEITCN is an expansion of the HVAC Training Center in Jasper, Alabama — a long-standing partnership between Bevill State Community College and Alabama Power — and will involve the construction of a new building. The training center’s goal is to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the energy sector by providing training opportunities that will help equip Alabama’s workforce with the necessary skills to thrive in this dynamic industry. The center will support pathways in Electric Vehicles (EVs), Connectivity, PV Solar/Microgrid, HVAC, and Weatherization.
About SkillFusion
SkillFusion is a first-of-its-kind approach to provide electric vehicle operations and maintenance (O&M) service providers with access to a nation-wide credentialed talent pool for electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) O&M obligations. Through the company’s cross-sector training platform, SkillFusion is developing the largest talent pipeline of certified electrician and non-electrician workers available to EVSE O&M service providers with the mission to minimize charging infrastructure downtime and increase the reliability of the charging network. The platform will increase availability of certified EVSE workers ensuring that service providers have immediate accessibility to the right trained service technician for every job, every single time. To learn more about SkillFusion, visit www.SkillFusion.com.
