Waubonsee Community College has received a $525,000 Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) Up Community grant through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). The grant aims to develop and expand electric vehicle (EV) technology through enhanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming development.
Waubonsee will use the REV Up grant over the next 18 months for curriculum development, instructional resources, and community connections necessary to build support for returning students, underserved, underrepresented, and adult learners, including those looking to upskill or reskill.
“We are planning to double the enrollment capacity for our Automotive Technology and Auto Body Repair programs compared to our current capacity, giving students, the local workforce, and the wider community more of what it needs—increased capacity, enhanced curricular possibilities, and greater opportunity for strategic industry partnerships,” said Ne’Keisha Stepney, Assistant Provost of Workforce Development at Waubonsee.
According to Intersect Illinois, Illinois is the 5th largest automotive employer ecosystem in the U.S., with over 816 companies in the sector. This makes it an ideal location for advancing EV technology programs. Stepney highlighted ongoing equipment purchases and plans for a dedicated hybrid and EV lab in Waubonsee’s new Technical Education Center (TEC), set to open at its Sugar Grove Campus in fall 2025.
Associate Professor of Automotive Technology Guy Tiberio said that the hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle classes at Waubonsee provide training that surpasses what many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offer their technicians servicing local dealerships. He expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming dedicated hybrid and EV lab at the TEC, which will further enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students.
The TEC, a 100,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, will serve as a hub for innovation and growth, driving the regional workforce forward. It has been designed to address the evolving and rigorous training and education challenges of future technicians working with emerging technologies. For more details and construction updates, visit waubonsee.edu/TEC.
As Waubonsee works to bridge workforce development gaps and satisfy labor market needs, the college will also partner with Southern Illinois University’s (SIU’s) School of Automotive and the EV Network Advisory Council/Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) to share employer needs, industry trends, and to share expertise related to curriculum development.
Andrew Croxwell, School Director SIU School of Automotive expressed excitement about partnering with Waubonsee through the REV Up grant. “This project will help to prepare the regional workforce for much-needed clean energy jobs and will ensure that progress is equitable and that underserved communities are not left behind,” said Croxwell. To learn more about Waubonsee’s CTE programs, visit waubonsee.edu/CTE.
