Funds used to support a new course for the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Certificate
Recently awarded ATRE-CEC funds will be used to support a new course that’s required for the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Certificate at Copper Mountain College (CMC). CMC will provide additional funding to further support the effort.
The college offers an associate degree and a certificate of achievement in Automotive Technology as well as several specialized certificates of achievement in areas including Steering and Suspension Service and Transmission Service and Repair. Last year, six new certificates were approved by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, including one focusing on hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.
CMC recognizes the growing need for technicians who can service alternative fuel vehicles and has recently worked to bring its entire curriculum in line with National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) standards.
The college plans to purchase two electric vehicles and two hybrid fuel vehicles that students can use for hands-on learning.
Faculty will also participate in a six-day “Up Your Voltage” professional development course offered by the Automotive Career and Development Center. This training will occur at the same time as curriculum development for the new course, with the goal of submitting the curriculum to the Chancellor’s Office for approval by February.
According to a 2014 U.S. Census Bureau survey, the Morongo Basin has an 18.6 percent unemployment rate, which is more than 5 percent higher than county and state levels.
Copper Mountain College’s program will prepare students for careers at car dealerships and service centers throughout the region. The College maintains relationships with these industry partners and will continue to work with them on meeting workforce needs.
“This program will provide employment-relevant training so as to meet labor market demand within this industry, while ultimately reducing unemployment rates,” the College wrote in its funding proposal.
