THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
ABOVE: With the aid of a $90,000 Rev Up grant from the Illinois Community College Board, secured by Professor Brandy Marron (right), DACC acquired two electric vehicles in 2024 — a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV(white) and a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E (yellow). They are pictured here with Dean Terri Cummings (left) and Automotive Technology Professors Dean Graves and Alan Wilson on the day they were delivered.
DANVILLE – As electric vehicles become an increasingly common part of today’s transportation landscape, Danville Area Community College (DACC) is launching a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology Certificate to prepare students for careers in a rapidly growing sector of the automotive industry.
The 29-credit certificate provides hands-on training in electric and hybrid vehicle systems, including diagnostics, electrical technology, regenerative braking, and high-voltage safety. All of the courses are currently offered—some with pre-requisites—so students may begin working on this certificate immediately. Students may complete the certificate on its own or earn it alongside DACC’s Automotive Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, offering flexibility for both immediate employment and long-term career advancement.
“This certificate was developed with one clear goal in mind—giving students a competitive advantage in today’s job market,” said Terri Cummings, Dean of Business and Technology at DACC. “Electric vehicle technology is no longer the future; it’s the present. Our students will graduate with the skills employers are actively seeking.”
The EV Technology Certificate was shaped by input from local employers and industry professionals, ensuring the curriculum reflects real-world workforce needs. Students gain experience using industry-standard tools and electric vehicles in DACC’s automotive labs, building confidence and practical skills that transfer directly to the workplace.
For students and families, the program offers several advantages: short-term, affordable training; stackable credentials; and strong employment potential in a field expected to grow as clean energy and electric vehicle adoption expand across Illinois and the nation.
“The strength of this program is its alignment with opportunity,” said Carl Bridges, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Students can start building career-ready skills right away, while families can feel confident they are investing in education that leads to real jobs and long-term stability.”
The certificate is also accessible to high school students through dual credit and Early College pathways, helping families reduce college costs while allowing students to begin career-focused training early.
With the launch of the EV Technology Certificate, DACC continues its commitment to providing innovative, workforce-driven programs that connect education to employment and support the economic growth of the region.
To learn more or apply, visit dacc.edu, or contact the Advising department at 217-443-8750.
Danville Area Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Illinois District 507, which consists of Vermilion County and parts of Champaign, Iroquois, Edgar, and Ford counties, since 1946. The College offers Associate degrees and certificates in both university transfer and applied career and technical programs. DACC’s historic, 76-acre main campus is located at 2000 East Main Street, Danville. The College has a higher-learning center in Hoopeston at 847 E. Orange. To apply to DACC, call 217-443-3222 or visit the Web site at www.DACC.EDU.
