covers topics such as high-voltage safety, EV supply equipment, and charging systems. More than 40 com- munity college faculty statewide have been trained to offer the courses, and faculty have provided feedback to help continue honing in on the curriculum. Employees of any California school district with
electric school buses can attend the training sessions at no cost, and trainers can travel to school districts to offer the education on-site, where employees of nearby districts can also attend. Students hoping to launch careers as mechanics, meanwhile, can take the community college courses. The training is also available online. About 150 districts have participated at this report..
“This is so new to everybody, it’s a learning op-
portunity,” said Malig, who added she hopes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will fund similar programs in other states. “It’s upscaling and rescaling the technicians so they are comfortable with the new technology.” Like Francis in Michigan, she noted that school bus mechanics are an aging workforce, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced or persuaded many to retire. She said improved education and outreach could attract young workers to the trade. “There’s this concept that school buses are dirty, your hands get gritty,” she said. “But the technology is chang- ing so the opportunities are at a higher level. And the opportunity to work for a school district has its bene- fits, you are working for a government entity, you have opportunities to have a flexible schedule. If it’s promoted correctly, there will be lots of interest.” Being a school bus mechanic is less taxing and hectic
than working at a vehicle dealership, she added. And a job at a school district can help young people stay in their home communities, perhaps working at the same high school where they took an automotive class. Francis, likewise, said he hopes electric buses and
4
Average number of mechanics on staff.
(Out of 83 responses.)
96% of transportation directors/supervisors said they are short anywhere from zero to five
mechanics. (Out of 89 responses.)
www.transairmfg.com |
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TransAir_0823_HV.indd 1 6/29/23 9:29 AM
Air Conditioning for School Buses (Type A, C & D)
MFSAB & Activity Buses
• Specify Trans/Air A/C system installed in your buses on your next purchase.
• A/C system installations available on buses ordered without A/C in your fleet.
• Purchase A/C parts on-line for easy ordering – call or go online (
www.busacparts.com) to set up account today
• Parts and components available for some hard-to-get competitors – call for details.
• Solutions for any driver or passenger cooling needs, contact us for an evaluation.
• Regional Territory Managers can work with you on any of your requirements - see web- site
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• Service, Installation and support “partners” throughout United States and Canada.
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