The Need for Training in CNG and RNG Technologies is Growing in the Greater Sacramento Area
New filling stations are opening and local fleets are purchasing vehicles equipped with this technology which requires specific training for employees.
ARC student working on a hydrogen fuel cells car.
As the only community college in the area providing this instruction, American River College (ARC) will utilize funding awarded by the California Energy Commission to enhance its ability to provide well-trained students for local employers. These include large fleet managers like Sacramento Regional Transit and the County of Sacramento.
Trish Caldwell, Dean of Technical Education is anticipating the many benefits this funding provides, especially to ARC students.
“With the support of the California Energy Commission, American River College will be able to upgrade our alternative fuels training, and provide our students with the most up-to-date technology, so that they are qualified and ready to work on day one!”
New Equipment for Two Departments
Area high school students visiting the ARC Clean Diesel program
ARC plans to update and strengthen for-credit offerings in its Automotive Technology and Diesel/Clean Diesel Departments. The diesel program will purchase a Freightliner M2 112 Natural Gas Truck with an Allison Transmission, and integrate it into the alternative fuels classroom experience.
Similarly, Automotive Technology will purchase a GMC 2500 Tri-Fuel Pickup that can operate on CNG, gasoline and ethanol to use as a teaching aid. Both departments will also acquire other related tools that will support instruction
Faculty Training Leads to Program Updates
Staying current with the latest industry information is a must for Automotive and Diesel/Clean Diesel instructors, so program funds will also be used for professional development.
Automotive Technology will host ACDC Advanced Electric Vehicle Training for Technicians at ARC, which will allow approximately ten faculty members to take advantage of this instruction. Online factory-update training on CNG Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles will also be available to instructors.
Diesel/Clean Diesel faculty will participate in both Cummins ISL training and Freightliner M2 CNG TSB Diagnostics training. These professional development opportunities will enable instructors to appropriately update program curriculum and teach the newly revised classes.
New courses for advanced hybrids and electric vehicles will be developed in addition to course updates that will increase teaching time on natural gas vehicles, coverage of plug-in hybrids and full electrical vehicle course work. Courses in the Diesel/Clean Diesel department will be updated to include the use of the Freightliner M2 112 CNG track as part of the lecture and lab training.
