A skilled workforce is an in-demand workforce. Traditionally, students relied exclusively on brick and mortar academic institutions to learn and hone the skills of their respective trades. Admission to such facilities was limited, and required some students to travel vast distances – sometimes from other countries entirely – to receive the education needed to work in the industries springing up close to home.
Fast forward to today and demand for skilled labor is arguably at its highest, with no sign of slowing down. Traditional academia is still producing many of the professionals employed in cutting edge industries, however a new educational vehicle is being leveraged to allow more students to learn remotely: online training programs. Thanks to these, more students than ever before have the option to pursue a career in today’s in-demand fields, often at their own pace.
From robotics to electric vehicle technician, online training programs provide opportunity and flexibility for students with the talent and ambition, though perhaps not the financial means to travel the traditional academic route. In this article, we’ll examine the benefits of an online education and how learning the right skills can open a number of unique and interesting career opportunities.
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The Benefits of an Online Education
The benefits of enrolling in an online post-secondary program far exceed the obvious benefits of studying within your own home. Yes, flexibility is a big plus, but so too is reducing the cost of your education and taking a more active role in your educational journey. Let’s dig a little deeper into each of these benefits.
Flexibility
If you have to work while pursuing your educational goals and increasing your career opportunities, virtual programs are a great alternative to conventional education. Traditionally, students would have to follow strict timetables for attending lectures/lessons that would make holding down a full time job difficult if not impossible. It’s not uncommon for people looking to change careers to have commitments that prevent them from even thinking about seeking the kind of training and education that would help them increase their earning potential. Fortunately, there are some virtual learning options that allow students to complete lessons and assignments around other commitments allowing them to complete the course at their own pace.
Reduced financial burden
The cost of education, like everything else, seems to be perpetually on the rise. As such, the tuition costs associated with many post-secondary programs can be a barrier to entry for many prospective students. Enrolling in an online program offers students a number of ways in which they can save money. For example, the cost of commuting to and from campus would be virtually eliminated as students do not need to leave homes to attend lectures or complete lessons. Additionally, since there are far fewer overhead expenses associated with an online classroom relative to a classroom located in a building that needs to be heated, cooled, and maintained, it isn’t uncommon for students to save on their tuition costs when enrolling in an online program.
Program variety
Since there is no need to study or attend classes on campus, some online programs allow students to set the schedule for their preferred classes. Additionally, there is greater potential for scaling the number of courses provided online than can be offered in a traditional setting since physical resources do not need to be allocated to competing programs. This scalability also means that academic institutions that deliver education over the Internet have an opportunity to be more agile in responding to the needs of the industries they support by adapting the courses they provide.
Interact and network with an international peer group
It’s well established that being part of a diverse group offers a wider breadth of perspectives and insights. Online learning tears down any logistical barriers there may be in terms of collaborating with a diverse group of like minded students. Learning the course material alongside students from various cultural and social backgrounds can lead to a broader and richer learning experience.
Access to resources
In an online class, one can expect that it is easier to facilitate scheduling guest lecturers that are well-known in their respective industries but may not be local to the academic center. Additionally, depending on the course, students may be able to take advantage of digital resources that are hosted elsewhere, including simulation tools, research materials, scholarly articles, industry publications and more.
Emerging Roles in the EV Industry May Interest You
Of course, the backbone of the EV industry will continue to be those EV technicians that build and service the growing number of EVs on the road, but they do not represent the only opportunity for career growth in this exciting industry.
Regional Planner
A Regional Planner is someone who is tasked with laying out where additional charging stations should be installed in order to create a convenient network for EV drivers.
Software Developer
The fact that software developers are on this list should come as no surprise. Developers are needed to continually push the envelope in terms of enhancing the driving experience. While it is true that EVs are a rapidly expanding segment, they must offer more than what is offered by conventional combustion engine vehicles in order to fuel the growth. Software developers are integral to improving all facets of the EV experience, from battery management to handling.
The Right Skills Can Create a Wealth of Opportunity in the EV Sector
Now more than ever, it is an exciting time to be venturing into a tech field. As the electric vehicle sector in particular continues to mature, many new and exciting opportunities for those that have developed the right skills. Here are some of the soft and technical skills that you will need to hone if you’re eyeing a career in the EV sector:
- An understanding of product development including but not limited to the in- and outside-vehicle data networking protocols that support the vehicle’s systems.
- Knowledge of EV charging stations and the infrastructure that supports them. The skills necessary to install, inspect, and maintain this equipment.
- Switch, transmitter, and diagnosis of other electrical components with the knowledge necessary to remove and replace them.
- Understanding how hardware and software design, functional testing, etc. is used during the prototype phase of the product development cycle.
- Above average communication and problem-solving skills, with a penchant for learning in the field.
Online Programs Help the Skills Gap
Ensuring the electric vehicle and other tech-centric industries have enough qualified and skilled professionals ready and willing to work is not something that can be completed by only relying on traditional academic vehicles. Online training programs offer flexibility that is essential to those already in the workforce to skill up and transition to a new in-demand field without having to jeopardize their financial well-being. They also provide access to those living in remote areas without the means to travel abroad to a quality education.
The demand for tech workers shows no signs of abating. In fact, it is likely that as the EV sector and others like it continue to grow, the demand for skilled labor will also trend upwards. The proliferation of online training programs will prove integral to ensuring enough workers possess the skills to fill the need.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in a tech related field in the EV space, reach out to a program coordinator at George Brown College today to discuss which program may be the right one for you.
