Elgin Community College Awarded Nearly $300K RevUp Grant to Expand EV Technician Training

Elgin Community College (ECC) has been awarded a $295,794 RevUp EV Community College Initiative Grant to support faculty development and the expansion of programming in electric vehicle (EV) technology and advanced manufacturing. The award, granted to ECC’s Sustainability, Business, and Career Technology (SBCT) division, will help ensure students are prepared to meet growing workforce demand in the rapidly evolving EV sector.

In spring 2025, ECC was awarded an initial $90,000 from RevUp. The college was notified in the summer of 2025 that it had received the continuation grant for an additional $295,794. 

The grant will allow ECC to expand existing programs and develop new coursework that supports technician training in electric vehicle systems, including components of EV advanced manufacturing. The initiative is part of a statewide effort to accelerate the development of EV infrastructure and workforce capacity in Illinois.

“This grant will help Elgin Community College stay ahead of the curve as the electric vehicle industry continues to grow,” said ECC President Peggy Heinrich, EdD. “By investing in our faculty and evolving our programs, we’re ensuring our students have access to cutting-edge training and our region has a pipeline of highly skilled workers ready for the future.”

The SBCT division will collaborate closely with regional industry partners to ensure students receive hands-on training that reflects the latest advancements in EV technology and manufacturing practices.

“Our division is proud to lead this work to prepare students for high-growth, high-wage careers in clean energy,” said Cathy Taylor, PhD, dean of Sustainability, Business, and Career Technology. “The RevUp grant gives us the opportunity to grow our programs and empower faculty to deliver innovative training that aligns with emerging industry needs.”

The RevUp EV Community College Initiative is administered by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and funded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to create regional hubs of EV education and training across the state.

For more information about ECC’s career and technical education programs, visit elgin.edu.