The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® Talent and Education Council exists to serve as the intersection for business and higher education to build a strong talent pipeline for the Charlotte Region. The council recently had a unique opportunity for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Central Piedmont Community College’s Tesla START program, housed at the school’s Merancas Campus.
A growing percentage of the 280 million cars, trucks, and buses on the road today are hybrid or fully electric. This growth created the need for specialized training beyond that of a traditional automotive maintenance technician. Central Piedmont saw that need and created a solution: an intensive EV Technician training program. Started in 2018, the Tesla START training program at Central Piedmont was the first of its kind in the country. Today, the program has nine locations across the continental United States.
After five years, the program is still growing strong to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. Mechanical engineering student and Tesla START graduate John Wellman commented that it is exciting to be in a program with a company on the forefront of innovation. He went on to say that the program is preparing students with skills and opportunities for the jobs of the future. Central Piedmont’s Tesla START program has a 100% placement rate for its graduates.
The CLT Alliance would like to express its thanks and gratitude to President Kandi Deitemeyer and Central Piedmont for allowing the council to learn and see first-hand this impressive program. This year the council’s theme has been “partnerships,” with a focus on partnerships between the private sector and institutions of higher education. Tesla START is a perfect example of the innovative and inspiring partnerships that have been cultivated in the Charlotte Region.
