The U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation recently awarded Philadelphia’s Plug In Philly initiative a $1.47 million Ride and Drive Electric program grant.
Plug In Philly is a two-year pilot work force development program that will recruit and train 45 Philadelphians for careers in electric vehicle supplies and equipment (EVSE).
Participants will take part in three cohorts to successfully complete the program. City officials will help participants access pathways to permanent, full-time jobs in the industry.
The program will build an EVSE focused pre-apprentice program, increase awareness of professional opportunities in EVSE through outreach to job seekers, and develop programming to support graduates’ job placement in EVSE careers.
“This grant announcement demonstrates the city’s successful intergovernmental approach to bring $1.47 million in federal infrastructure funding to the people of Philadelphia,” Mike Carroll, Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability deputy managing director, said. “The focus on electric vehicle workforce training builds clean transportation for Philadelphia resulting not only in a city that is safer, cleaner and greener, but one which creates economic opportunity for all.”
The long-term goal of the program is to increase the number of women and Black, Indigenous, and people of color electricians employed on Philadelphia public works projects by 2030.