Reskilling the Workforce: Training Needs for Electric School Bus Operators and Maintenance Technicians

The adoption of Electric School Buses (ESBs) is gaining momentum in U.S. school districts due to concerns about air quality, climate change, available funding programs, state targets, and technological advancements. ESBs offer a cleaner and more environmentally friendly student transportation option, reduced operational costs, and zero tailpipe emissions for school districts. However, the transition to ESBs requires well-trained personnel to operate and maintain these vehicles and their charging infrastructure.

“The transition to ESBs will transform communities and we must ensure that a just transition for school bus workers also occurs. To better understand gaps in workforce development for ESB operators and maintenance technicians, CALSTART, Michigan Clean Cities, Manufacturing Renaissance, and WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative convened an Industry Electric School Bus Working Group that met in a series of meetings in 2022. This group comprised representatives from manufacturers, operators, dealers, maintenance providers, and community colleges. Through this collaborative effort, the group gained a deeper understanding of the workforce and training challenges in preparing for ESBs and identified recommendations for training implementation.”

Learn more