One of the hottest emerging industries is green conversion for cars - and clean cars equate to green jobs. While California is in economic rebound mode, the demand for cars that take the sticker shock out of the gas pump and contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions are driving manufacturers to make clean hybrid electric cars, and in some instances, all electric vehicles.
But transferring auto technician skills to these new products takes specialized training to handle the often high voltage, amped-up inner workings. While the Department of Labor predicts the demand for automotive service technicians and mechanics will increase a modest 5 percent between 2008 and 2018, those with an advanced understanding of certain systems, such as hybrid-fuel technology, will be in high demand.
That's why California auto dealers invested in a new $5.1 million facility to ensure that technicians are trained for this endeavor. Hosted at Cerritos College, the 10,642 square foot facility is the only one of its kind on the west coast serving the college's industry partners. Donors include the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA) and the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association who contributed $500,000 each, with the Conant Auto Retail Group and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe contributing $100,000 each.
"The educational program is badly needed," said Randy Sopp, owner of Los Angeles-based Sopp Chevrolet. Designed to resemble a dealer showroom, the facility trains both students and industry, and houses the college's Advanced Transportation Technology & Energy (ATTE) program, which offers training in the areas of alternative fuels and other advanced transportation careers.
As the only community college in California with three manufacturer-sponsored technician programs (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors), Cerritos College and its private sector investors have created a unique educational partnership with the automotive manufacturers, industry and Northwood University's West Coast program center that offers a bachelor's degree in automotive management and marketing.
For more information about the new facility, go to http://cms.cerritos.edu/auto. For information on the ATTE, contact Peter Davis at (619) 473-0090 or pdavis@cccewd.net.
Read the latest EWD Newsletter: Grow California to learn more about EWD's innovative industry programs.
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