The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative
Place-Based Workforce Development in Appalachia, the Lower Mississippi Delta and the Northern Border Regions of the United States

| Location | Harlow, Essex County, United Kingdom |
| Initiative | Harlow College’s Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Training Centre |
| Program snapshot | In 2022, the Essex County Council (the local authority governing Essex County) partnered with Harlow College (a local college serving over 4,500 learners) and the Harlow District Council (the local authority for the town of Harlow) to launch a pilot program to train local residents in electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle repair and maintenance. The program takes a proactive approach to skills development by equipping local residents, including youth and local practicing mechanics, with industry-recognized professional qualifications to meet emerging demand for the growing electric vehicle sector. During the Training Centre’s two-year pilot, a £100,000 investment from Essex County Council’s Levelling Up fund fully subsidized tuition for 50 new training spots. The pilot targeted smaller local employers who were least able to afford commercial training fees for their technicians. Since the Centre’s launch, over 200 trainees have participated in courses, ensuring local businesses can meet the growing demand for electric-vehicle-maintenance expertise as electric vehicle adoption continues to expand in the coming years. A secondary objective of the Training Centre is to serve as an accessible community space where residents can participate in workshops at the facility’s “live garage” to learn about electric and hybrid vehicles, helping build market demand over time. |
| Sector focus | The focus is on electric and hybrid vehicle aftermarket services and maintenance. |
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