July 11, 2014—Peninsula College in Washington State announced last week it is now one of few schools in the nation to offer an accredited one-year Alternative Fuels Certificate program.
The 45-credit program admits 15 students each year and includes courses in hybrid and electric, compressed natural gas, propane, bio-diesel, flex fuel and ethanol-powered vehicles. Students also take some general education courses.
The National Science Foundation Automotive Technology Education gave the community college a $150,000 to develop and implement the program in 2010.
“When our students graduate from the alternative fuels program, they will be able to diagnose and repair any hybrid vehicle on the market, making them a very valuable asset to any automotive repair shop,” said Mike Hansen, automotive technology program coordinator and instructor. “With the automotive industry headed toward the hybrid and alternative fuels to meet the federal requirements for fuel economy, our students will be well positioned to find a living wage job in the automotive industry.”
To date, more than a dozen students have already graduated from the Alternative Fuels Certificate Program and enrollment is still available for the 2014 fall quarter. The college also offers two two-year degrees and eight short-term proficiency certificates.
For more information on the college’s automotive programs, email Hansen at [email protected].
