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Louisville College Secures $2.5M Federal Grant to Advance Electric-Vehicle Education

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 16:53 GMT by WDRB

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Federal Grant Fuels Louisville College’s Push into Electric‑Vehicle Education

A federal grant announced this week is set to give Louisville College a significant boost as it revamps its electric‑vehicle (EV) curriculum. The money—awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA‑E)—will allow the college to upgrade laboratories, hire additional faculty, and launch new courses that focus on battery technology, charging infrastructure, and the emerging EV supply chain.

What the Grant Is and Who’s Behind It

The grant totals $2.5 million and was issued by the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Louisville College is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), which recently partnered with the state’s Office of Workforce Development to apply for the funding. The grant is one of several in a national push to build a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the U.S. electric‑vehicle market’s projected demand for more than 1 million jobs by 2030.

“Federal investments in workforce training are essential for our state’s competitiveness,” said Dr. Amanda Lee, president of Louisville College. “This grant will position us as a leader in EV education and give our students a real chance to join the clean‑energy economy.”

How the Money Will Be Spent

The funding is earmarked for three primary initiatives:

1. Laboratory Modernization – $1.2 million will be used to replace outdated charging stations, install high‑performance battery testing rigs, and create a dedicated EV crash‑test and repair bay. The college will also acquire a fleet of four EVs (including a Ford Mustang Mach‑E and a Chevrolet Bolt) that students can use for hands‑on training.

2. Faculty and Curriculum Development – $700 k will go toward hiring a new director of EV technology, a part‑time lecturer in electric‑powertrain design, and a curriculum‑development consultant. The grant will also cover the creation of a new 12‑semester certificate in Electric Vehicle Technology, which will incorporate courses in battery chemistry, power electronics, and EV‑specific safety protocols.

3. Industry Partnerships and Internship Programs – The remaining $600 k will be directed at establishing internship pipelines with local automotive manufacturers, such as Ford Motor Company’s Louisville assembly plant and General Motors’ Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) division. The college will work with these partners to design co‑educational projects that allow students to work on real‑world EV components and gain certifications in the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) framework.

Expected Outcomes

Louisville College expects to admit 150–200 students into the new program over the next five years. A study conducted by the Kentucky Department of Education indicates that colleges that invest in EV education can see up to a 30 % increase in job placement rates for graduates. Dr. Lee noted that the college’s goal is to provide at least 80% of graduates with a full‑time position in the EV industry within six months of completion.

The grant will also help address workforce equity. “The EV sector is still largely dominated by men of certain socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Ms. Lee. “Our curriculum will actively recruit women, minorities, and first‑generation college students, providing scholarships and mentorship programs to ensure they have a pathway into this high‑growth field.”

Broader Context and Related Initiatives

The grant aligns with the Biden Administration’s broader Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which allocated $11.1 billion for EV infrastructure and workforce development. Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear also announced a matching $500 k investment, earmarked for scholarships and on‑site training at the college. The combined effort is expected to create an estimated 3,000 jobs in the state’s EV sector over the next decade.

The article also cites a recent National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report that found EV manufacturing facilities with advanced training programs were able to reduce production defects by up to 25 %. Louisville College’s new lab will be calibrated to meet NREL’s testing standards, ensuring that students gain skills that are directly transferrable to national‑level EV production.

Looking Forward

Louisville College’s partnership with the DOE, local manufacturers, and the state’s workforce board marks a significant step toward building a future‑ready EV workforce in Kentucky. By combining state‑of‑the‑art labs, targeted faculty hiring, and strong industry ties, the college aims to not only fill the immediate demand for EV technicians but also to become a model for other community colleges nationwide.

The grant will be fully implemented by Fall 2025, with the first cohort of students slated to enroll in the fall of 2026. As the EV market accelerates, Louisville College’s new curriculum will be a cornerstone in training the next generation of engineers, technicians, and technicians who will drive America’s clean‑energy future.