News

May 29th, 2010: Miramar Auto Tech Career Building Expansion

We are about six weeks into the expansion of the Automotive Technology Career instructional building at Miramar, and this week was a big one for concrete work. Crews poured 195 cubic yards of concrete footings and stem walls. Stem walls are supporting structures that are utilized as means of joining the foundation of a building with the vertical walls constructed on the foundation. Along with establishing foundational integrity for the building, the stem walls also aid in minimizing damage to the materials used to create the vertical walls. The pours went very well, and the work is progressing well

This project consists of the addition of about 6,500 SF for additional laboratories, new classrooms and increased storage areas. ADA upgrades and some minor renovations will be performed on the existing building.

May 21st, 2010: ATTE awarded Contract from San Diego Gas & Electric

The ATTEi has been awarded a contract from San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Company to conduct compressed natural gas (CNG) Vehicle Training Programs. The programs will be conducted to the utilities customers; San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Company are subsidiaries of Sempra Energy. While final contract discussions are still taking place, the training to be provided will occur throughout the utilities service region covering southern and central California.

The key objectives for this training are safety, reliability and education. As with all vehicles, customers that operate CNG vehicle fleets need specific knowledge and training to safely and reliably refuel and maintain their CNG vehicle fleet. To this end, one set of courses will educate customers on how to conduct periodic inspections of CNG vehicle fueling systems focused on CNG tanks.

Also, CNG-powered engines are not dissimilar from gasoline- or diesel-powered engines, but there are enough differences to make CNG engine maintenance courses for fleet mechanics an ideal way to enhance the reliability of CNG vehicles. The second set of courses will focus on heavy-duty CNG technician training.

Cerritos College featured on ABC7 News
Dedication of the NEW Automotive Partners Building

Click Here for Video

Partnerships for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Training
Larry McLaughlin, Director, ATTE Center, College of the Desert

A grant received through the Clean Energy Workforce Training Program (funded by the California Energy Commission and Employment Development Department), presented College of the Desert’s ATTE Center with both a privilege and responsibility to address the workforce development needs of a new industry in Southern California. This new industry is the utility-scale solar power generation industry. Although the technologies have been proven in the U.S. and in Europe, the level of development we are about to see in the desert region of Southern California is unprecedented. Over 311,900 acres were set-aside in this region for “fast-track” solar energy development which is expected to create several thousand jobs during construction phases.

College of the Desert is working to prepare workers who are unemployed, underemployed, and new workforce entrants for the jobs to be created by the utility-scale solar industry. It is providing training in solar energy theory, utility-scale applications of photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar thermal (CST) technologies, and project-specific field construction of PV and CST systems. To ensure that training properly aligns worker skills with project needs, College of the Desert has worked closely with members of the industry. Several prominent firms have become true partners in the development and implementation of this program. For example, First Solar, Solar Millennium, DEO Enterprises, and Gossamer Space Frames have had significant input into the content of the utility-scale PV and CST portion of the training, with First Solar and Gossamer contributing guest trainers. Several industry partners have also made significant equipment contributions. First Solar has donated two 40-foot arrays with 65 thin film PV modules, rack mounting, and pylons to train workers on the system that will actually be installed in their desert projects. Gossamer Space Frames, with industry partners Hydro Aluminum Extrusions and Guardian Glass, donated eight 8-meter frames and 92 mirrors for training program participants on the construction of solar parabolic troughs. Additional technical assistance from Gossamer and a center-mounted tracking unit to be donated soon will allow the students to construct a 230-foot working parabolic trough.

Having the involvement of industry partners is not only critical to ensuring that training is responsive to industry needs, it is also critical for linking trainees to future employment opportunities. In addition to corporate partners, fully realizing these opportunities depends on the program’s partnerships with regional labor organizations and the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB). Much of the hiring to be done by the developer’s contractors will be done through union project labor agreements. To ensure that program participants are considered for the union apprenticeships created through these projects, College of the Desert ATTE has worked closely with the Riverside and San Bernardino Building & Construction Trades Council, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Riverside County Economic Development Agency/Workforce Development also plays a critical role in the program and with the employment of participants. Riverside EDA is handling the outreach, enrollment, pre-course assessment, case management and placement tasks for this project.

The success of College of the Desert’s utility-scale solar energy training program can be attributed to the input and support of its industry partners. Many of the solar projects comprising this exciting new industry will get underway before the end of the year to qualify for Recovery Act funding. Others will follow soon afterward as a result of the fast-track process established by the U.S. Department of Interior. The extent of its success and economic contribution to the region depends on the availability of a skilled workforce. The partnerships established through College of the Desert’s ATTE program have begun to meet that workforce need.

COLLEGE OF THE DESERT AND FIRST SOLAR COLLABORATE ON REGION’S FIRST UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR TRAINING FOR LOCAL GREEN WORKFORCE

Training Class and Celebration Event to Take Place at COD’s Desert Energy Enterprise Center, Wednesday, April 28 Palm Desert, CA (April 22, 2010) - College of the Desert (COD) announced today that it is collaborating with First Solar, a leading manufacturer of photovotaic solar panels, to support local training for green jobs in the utility-scale solar projects coming to Riverside County.

First Solar is donating solar equipment, hands-on training and curriculim development for COD’s Desert Region Renewable Energy Training Program held at the Desert Energy Enterprise Center (DEEC). The DEEC opened in January 2010 and since then has trained workers for utility-scale solar energy plant construction in anticipation of several proposed solar projects in the Southern California desert. The COD program is reaching out to new workforce entrants, the unemployed and underemployed workers.

“As the region’s utility-scale solar energy industry grows, generation companies and their contractors, as well as unions, will be searching for skilled workers who understand solar installation and maintenance requirements,” said Larry McLaughlin, director, advanced transportation technology and energy center at COD. “We are extremely grateful to First Solar for donating their industry-leading solar equipment
and expertise to help train our local workforce so they are better qualified for the many solar projects proposed for our area.”

“First Solar’s collaboration with COD is a great example of our commitment to working with education and the local community to support green jobs and provide a much needed boost to the local economy,” said Kim Oster, director of business development for First Solar. “Once approved, Desert Sunlight, a 550MW solar project near Desert Center being developed by First Solar, is expected to create approximately 430 construction jobs, fifteen ongoing maintenance and operations jobs, indirect benefits to local businesses and sales tax revenue to the county of approximately $10 million over a two to three year constuction period.”

Representatives from COD/DEEC and First Solar will gather with students and local dignitaries to celebrate the donation and first utility-scale training class on Wednesday, April 28 from 3-4 p.m. at College of the Desert’s Desert Energy Enterprise Center, 3301 Micro Place in Palm Springs (at I-10 and Gene Autry Trail).

Speakers at the event will include Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, Lee Haven, vice chair Riverside workforce investment board executive committee and business development manager for Granite Construction, as well as representatives from COD and First Solar. After a brief presentation, COD students enrolled in the program and participating in the day’s training will be available for interviews.

A World We Can Change is an educational, clean air conference and expo intended for high school students to foster an awareness and understanding of young people’s stake in air quality and climate issues. Join 8,000 to 10,000 high school students and their teachers at “A World We Can Change: A Clean Air Conference & Expo for High Schools Students”! Our core program from Noon to 1:30 pm, which includes lunch, features music, an advanced vehicle parade, invited motivational speakers Former President Bill Clinton and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Breakout sessions including presentations from scientific experts and business entrepreneurs, and film screenings will be offered from 9-11:40 am; film screenings will be repeated in the afternoon. The Expo Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes exhibit areas on summer internship programs, college/university recruitment, vocational/trade programs, technology programs including advanced vehicle displays, green programs including organizations empowering and educating youth on the environment, and environmental government agencies. The SCAQMD is also providing reimbursement for school bus transportation and substitute teachers. For more information click on the hyperlink to visit our conference webpage or call our conference hotline at 909 396-2221.

Free exhibit space is offered to local organizations with summer internship programs, vocational/trade schools and community colleges/universities wishing to reach our high school attendees. For more information contact Ms. Drue Ann Hargis by email at dhargis@aqmd.gov or by phone at either 909 396-3237 or 909 851-6681.

HD CNG Vehicle Training on a City Ambulance for Fleet Maintenance Technicians

College of the Desert, through its Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy (ATTE) Center, trained 19 technicians on the application of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel in an ambulance built on a Ford F 450 platform. The City of Palm Desert had acquired a CNG fueled ambulance to be placed in the City’s emergency services fleet, and maintained by CalFire technicians. The City approached the ATTE Center through the regional Clean Cities program coordinator to conduct this training. Funding for the training was provided by the Miramar Community College ATTE/Region Hub.

The CNG Safety Workshop was developed through the cooperation of SCRTTC and ATTE by Cal Macy of Long Beach City College (LBCC). The workshop is designed for anyone operating, maintaining or servicing CNG vehicles. It provides an overview of CNG fuel system and basic CNG safety practices.

The CNG Fuel System Inspection Workshop was also developed through Cal Macy of LBCC. It is designed to train and prepare advanced level CNG technicians to become CSA Certified CNG Fuel System Inspectors. The workshop covers installation material from NFPA 52, inspection protocols from CGA 6.4 and specific manufacture inspection procedures and details. After completing this training the participants took the CSA test.

The CNG Vehicle Maintenance Workshop focused on providing details relative to the specific application (2009 CNG ambulance on F450 platform). The installation was completed by BAF Technologies. BAF provided an excellent overview of their installation kit and some basic operational and service issues.

There were 17 technicians from various parts of Riverside County, and a technician from Sunline Transit and the trainer from Sunline Transit. The majority of the technicians were from Cal Fire, two were from the Palm Desert service facility. Some had experience with CNG, most did not.

The CNG Ambulance Maintenance Curriculum was developed based on the Palm Desert Ambulance and incorporated safety training, system overview, specific system information and maintenance procedures for the Palm Desert Ambulance. The workshop is designed to be a 6-hour stand alone course, but it may be shortened depending on other training that may be included with it.

From this foundational training, there are future training possibilities in the areas of electrical, CNG fuel system diagnosis and repair and advanced CNG computer controlled engine performance. In addition, as new technicians are hired in at the county, the foundational CNG workshops may be repeated.