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technical trades program, with a focus electric vehicle service and
light repair, is a training partnership between Heartland Community
College and Rivian Automotive LLC, designed to upscale the talents
of current Rivian employees into high-demand jobs.
Employees who qualified for the program studied for their EV Energy
Storage Certificate, EV Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate,
and High Voltage Battery Technology Micro-Certificate in Heartland’s
EV Training program while still working at the automotive company.
“Heartland certification programs are designed to help individuals
get a start, and also help those already in the workforce upskill
and move forward in their career,” said Heartland Community College
President Keith Cornille. “Stackable credits allow students to not
only get the skills they need now, such as with these Rivian
employees, but also utilize those credits if their path calls for a
full degree.”
Eight students graduated this summer in the inaugural cohort and
will continue their full-time employment in upskilled roles,
accepting positions at the Rivian production facility or at service
centers around the country.
“I thought I had missed the opportunity to go to college after high
school, but now feel so grateful Rivian gave me the opportunity to
complete this training and get college credit at the same time,”
said Levi Hankins, one of the students graduating in the first
cohort. “I never knew what I wanted to go back to school for, but I
knew I wanted to go back. The program has been very beneficial. The
teachers have made the difference. They have made it so easy to
learn.”
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The program is aimed at employees with three months to three
years of experience at Rivian. Upon completion of the program, students have the
skills and qualifications to become entry level technicians at Rivian.
“It’s extremely rewarding as an instructor to change people’s lives by
introducing students to a career they didn’t have an opportunity to learn about
otherwise,” said Ted Foos, a Rivian employee who works as a Heartland EV
curriculum consultant. “At the Heartland facility, students get to work with the
equipment they will see in the field.”
Heartland Community College offers an Electric Vehicle Technology Associate in
Applied Science Degree as well as certification programs for Electric Vehicle
Maintenance and Light Repair, Electric Vehicle Energy Storage, Electric Vehicle
Technology and Electric Vehicle Service Advisor.
[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]
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