Preparing Vehicle Technicians for Advanced Transportation Fuels is an initiative designed to develop an advanced transportation technology training program at Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC). The program will be the first college program in the state and the nation to offer technician training in all of the advanced transportation/alternative fuel vehicle technologies. The curriculum will include conventional hybrid, plug-in electric, dedicated electric vehicle, biodiesel, propane, ethanol, compressed and liquefied natural gas, and fuel-cell vehicles.
The project partners include ATech, Atmos Energy, ConsuLab, Cummins Crosspoint, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence, Kentucky Propane Gas Association, Kentucky Soybean Board and Association, and Owensboro Grain Company. Project partners serve as the project steering committee, participate in events, support project outreach, and provide their expertise to specific program areas.
Initiative objectives include summer academies, student technician training, incumbent worker training, secondary and post-secondary teacher STEM training, E-85 powered 1965 AC Cobra vehicle build, and a National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey event to increase public awareness of alternative fuels.
OCTC is dedicated to preparing its students for the 21st century workforce in Kentucky and in the nation by ensuring they are knowledgeable of the evolving technologies transforming the transportation industry.