LAKE WORTH — Palm Beach State College has received a $1.1 million state investment to support the launch of its new Electric, Hybrid and Alternative Fuels Vehicle Technician program, creating new opportunities for students to gain specialized skills for the rapidly changing automotive industry.

Florida Rep. Debra Tendrich, who secured the state funding, presented the College with a ceremonial check Sept. 17 during a press conference at Palm Beach State’s Lake Worth campus. The state appropriation complements $4.1 million in federal funding, bringing the project’s total projected investment to $5.2 million.

“When I looked at the request, I didn’t just see equipment,” said Tendrich. “I saw job opportunities, local career paths and students gaining skills that employers will need more and more every single year moving forward.”

The funding will enable Palm Beach State to purchase specialized diagnostic and training equipment to prepare students to work on electric, hybrid, alternative-fuel and diesel vehicles. The 850-hour program, scheduled to begin in February 2027, will combine classroom instruction with hands-on training in high-voltage safety, battery technology, electric motors, power electronics and advanced vehicle diagnostics.

“Today’s vehicles require a very different kind of technician,” said Doreen Singer, director of Transportation Technologies and program director of Electric, Hybrid and Alternative Fuels at Palm Beach State’s Lake Worth campus. “In many cases, the first step in fixing a vehicle isn’t turning a wrench. It’s connecting diagnostic equipment, interpreting data and figuring out what the technology is telling you.”

The program is designed to complement Palm Beach State’s existing automotive training while giving students the skills to work across both conventional and emerging vehicle technologies.

“At the end of the day, we are going to need folks like you who are going to be able to fix the car,” said Palm Beach State President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “I want to make sure that our students know how to fix cars that are going to be on the road forever, but also that they’re prepared to fix newer vehicles.”

For current automotive students, the program represents an opportunity to expand their career options as vehicle technology evolves.

Noah Strano, of Riviera Beach, plans to enroll when the program begins. He wants to build on his experience with conventional vehicles and develop the skills to work on EVs and hybrids as well.

“I don’t want to be restricted to just gasoline,” Strano said. “If something comes into the dealership where I work, I want to be able to do all of it.”

Jessica VanRavenswaay, of Jupiter, also plans to enroll. Her interest in automotive technology began working on cars with her father, and she sees the field as an opportunity to combine her passion for vehicles with helping others.

“I knew that I had a passion for vehicles—just anything related,” VanRavenswaay said. “They’re beautiful. I wanted to be able to help others, and I felt it was a realistic way to start a career and do that for others.”

The new program reflects Palm Beach State’s commitment to connecting students with career-focused education while helping address the evolving workforce needs of Palm Beach County and Florida.

“What I’m really excited about is what happens next with this check: the opportunities this creates for Palm Beach State students and the workforce we are building right here at home,” Tendrich said. “We’re giving students specialized skills that can lead to real careers and making sure that Palm Beach County has the workforce it needs as vehicle technology changes.”