Professional Opportunities and Training in Fuel Cells
This section provides links and information on
continuing education, related associations and organizations for those
looking either to enter the fuel cell industry or to expand on their
training or knowledge of the technology.
Environmental
Careers Organization Internship Finder - For over 25 years, The Environmental Careers
Organization (ECO) has been dedicated to solving environmental problems
and to the education of the next generation of environmental
professionals. The hundreds of paid internships through ECO's placement
program are at the heart of that commitment.
The Jefferson
Lab High School Summer Honors Internship Program
employs high school students to work in scientific or technical
positions for eight weeks. The students chosen for these positions are
strong in math, science, and/or computer science and are interested in
pursuing scientific and technical careers.
Technical Training Related to Fuel Cell
Technologies
Alternative
Fuels Training Programs - U.S. Department of Energy page that provides a listing of training programs in
the alternative fuel vehicle industry.
American
National Standards Institute -
A private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates
the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.
Offers educational programs and training in standardization and
related matters.
California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) Emergency Responder Information -
CaFCP offers introductory education for fire and life safety professionals. Materials found on their website include basic hydrogen properties and handling, fuel cell vehicle and bus safety systems and items you need to be aware of during fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen emergency response.
CaFCP members worked closely with local fire departments, the Office of the California State Fire Marshal, national fire and life safety training experts, and the expertise of our members to develop the material on this web site. You can also schedule workshops in California.
Course
Manual on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engines and Related Technologies - Produced by College of the Desert and SunLine Transit
Agency with funding from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration,
this course manual features technical information on the use of
hydrogen as a transportation fuel. It covers hydrogen properties,
use, and safety as well as fuel cell technologies, systems, engine
design, safety, and maintenance. It also presents the different
types of fuel cells and hybrid electric vehicles.
Electric Vehicle
Center of Technology - Offers a introductory class exploring the emerging
technology of fuel cells. The course covers fuel cell theory and
history, types of fuel cells and vehicular applications of fuel
cells.
Energy
Management Institute -
Offers alternative fuels (including hydrogen) training, courses
on alternative fleet fuels.
Energy
Technology Training Center (ETTC) - the College of the Desert
has been appointed as the lead college in the Advanced Transportation
Technologies Initiative (ATTi) to provide training for compressed
natural gas, propane gas, liquified natural gas technologies,
electric hybrid and hydrogen/fuel cell technologies. The Energy
Technology Training Center (ETTC) provides training and serves
as a clearinghouse for technical information and training resources.
The ETTC is also developing a Tech-Prep Associate Degree Program
in Advanced Transportation Technologies.
First Responder Training - AC Transit offers training to first responders, providing the specific information they need to be prepared for any possible event. AC Transit provides this service in person, on site, and has also produced a DVD explaining safety procedures and best practices for first responders. Nearly 300 East Bay first responders have already gone through this training.
Florida
Solar Energy Center -
Renewable energy and energy efficiency research and training.
FSEC is also distinguished as the largest and most active state-supported
research and training institute in the United States in the area
of renewable energy and building energy efficiency.
Fueling the Hydrogen Economy - an online course developed by the EERC and the University of North Dakota (UND) Department of Continuing Education, focused on teaching students about the emerging hydrogen industry.
Great Lakes Renewable
Energy Association -
A non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes,
and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies. Offers
certification programs in distributed generation technologies
and renewable energy fields.
HARC's Center for Fuel Cell
Research and Applications -
Multi-year, multi-sponsor research program that studies fuel cell
systems and stationary applications. The Center organizes and
offers continuing education programs of interest to sponsors.
Hocking Technical College (Nelsonville, Ohio) - Hocking offers an Alternative Energy Technology and Fuel Cells program and an Automotive Hybrids and Fuel Cells program, both leading to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Graduates of the two-year programs will be able to work as technicians that construct, install, troubleshoot, modify, and test fuel cell and other alternative energy-powered equipment or vehicles. Students gain real-life experience by working at a company or laboratory and, starting in Fall 2009, will receive further hands-on learning at Hocking’s new Alternative Energy Center.
Houston Community College, Northeast (Houston, Texas) - The college has a Fuel Cell specialization certificate track through the two-year Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program. The curriculum focuses on basic concepts and principles of fuel cells, training students to work in industrial, institutional, or commercial transportation applications.
DOE's Introduction to Hydrogen Safety for First Responders is a Web-based course that provides an "awareness level" overview of hydrogen for fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel. This multimedia tutorial acquaints first responders with hydrogen, its basic properties, and how it compares to other familiar fuels; hydrogen use in fuel cells for transportation and stationary power; potential hazards; initial protective actions should a responder witness an incident; and supplemental resources including videos, supporting documents, and links relevant to hydrogen safety.
To receive print or CD versions of the course, contact DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Center or call 1-877-EERE-INFO/877-337-3463.
The
Institute of Transport Studies -
The Institute of Transport Studies at the University of California,
Berkeley, does not offer courses for credit, but it provides research fellowships, grants and teaching and research jobs for transportation graduate students through projects conducted by its affiliated faculty. The disciplines they represent include civil engineering, city and regional planning, as well as industrial engineering and operations research, computer science, energy, policy, economics, mechanical engineering, and public health.
Introduction to Hydrogen for Code Officials - Online training course that provides an overview of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, how these technologies are used in real-world applications, and the codes and standards required for permitting them. The course consists of four modules: Hydrogen and fuel cell technology basics; Hydrogen and fuel cell applications; Permitting hydrogen fueling stations; and Permitting fuel cell facilities.
KnowH2OW
Safety Training Course List -
Air Products offers a variety of programs for hydrogen energy from
general hydrogen handling and safety to a more detailed look at how to
safely handle, design, and operate hydrogen systems.
Lansing Community College (Lansing, Michigan) - Lansing offers an Associate degree in Alternative Energy Technologies to prepare technicians for building, operating, or repairing alternative energy applications in geothermal, wind, solar, biomass or fuel cells. The school's two state-of-the-art classrooms profice hands-on training in commercial alternative energy equipment, including hydrogen fuel cell systems with computer aided diagnostics.
Long Beach City College (Long Beach, California) - This shool offers an Advanced Transportation Technology – Electric Vehicle certificate through the Auto Mechanics program. Students are trained for entry-level work in the automotive service industry, through specialized classes focusing on hybrid, fuel cell, and electric vehicles.
Midlands Technical College (Columbia, South Carolina) - Midlands delivers fuel cell technician training through its two-semester Power Engineering and Delivery certificate, offered by the Engineering Technology Program. Coursework covers the fundamentals of power generation and alternate energy sources, including fuel cell systems. Midlands’ fuel cell laboratory opened in 2006 to offer basic fuel cell training and the school is developing two new laboratories - a fuel cell subsystems lab and a commercial-variety analytical testing lab.
National
Alternative Fuels Training Consortium -
Strives to improve air quality and decrease the dependence on foreign
oil by promoting, supporting, and expanding the use of alternative fuel
vehicles. Develops and delivers standard, competency based training for
automotive trainers, technicians, and others in the alternative fuel
vehicle field, and educate the consumer about alternative fuel
vehicles. This Consortium currently operates through a network of
National Training Centers (NTCs) in 14 states.
National
Fuel Cell Research Center -
Mission of the NFCRC is to facilitate and accelerate the development
and deployment of fuel cell technology and fuel cell systems; promote
strategic alliances to address the market challenges associated with
the installation and integration of fuel cell systems; and to educate
and develop resources for the various stakeholders in the fuel cell
community.
Naugatuck Valley Community College (Waterbury, Connecticut) - Connecticut is a leader in Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Fuel Production and home to many companies in these industries. Naugatuck Valley Community College’s Alternative Energy Systems Technology Certificate includes coursework on Fuel Cell Technology which was developed and is taught by local fuel cell industry leaders. In addition, the certificate gives students the opportunity to explore other renewable and alternative energy technologies in a hands-on environment as well as skill building courses in demand by fuel cell employers such as manufacturing processes, engineering technology, and CAD/D. Classes are offered on both days and evenings and financial aid is available through PELL Grants and Workforce Investment Act Scholarships for eligible Connecticut residents.
Pure Energy™ Centre 's Pure Hydrogen Training - Training in renewable hydrogen technologies at the only operational renewable hydrogen facility in the UK. Courses include: Renewable Hydrogen Technologies; Global Energy Situation – Energy Security; Pure Principles Explained; Pure System Configurations; Hydrogen Safety; Hydrogen Production Principles;
Hydrogen Electrolyzer Principles; Hydrogen Storage Mechanisms; Uses of Stored Hydrogen; Introduction to Fuel Cells; Community Development and Planning; Pure Financials; and Hydrogen Research & Development Opportunities.
SAE International
-
(The Engineering Society for Advancing Mobility Land Sea Air and Space)
offers seminars and workshops pertaining to fuel cells and
transportation technologies.
San
Diego Miramar College -
Offers training in Advanced Transportation
Technologies with several fuel cell and alternative fuels courses.
St. Paul College (St. Paul, Minnesota) - St. Paul offers a Fuel Cell Technician certificate to students that already possess a foundation in related fields by having completed one of the school’s related A.A.S. programs (electronics, electricity, energy production, energy systems, chemical laboratory technician). The four-course, 16 credit program includes coursework in fuel cell installation and operation, fuel data acquisition and analysis, and fuel cell product design and manufacturing.
Stark State College of Technology (North Canton, Ohio) - Stark offers a Mechanical Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) two-year program with an optional track in Fuel Cell Technology. A U.S. Department of Labor fuel cell technology scholarship is available to encourage students to enroll in the school’s program. In addition, the school has opened a Fuel Cell Prototyping Center and is working with its business tenants to develop training opportunities for students.
Texas State Technical College, Waco (Waco, Texas) - TSTC offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Fuel Cell Technology, focusing on basic installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of fuel cells. Hands-on training is provided at the school’s Fuel Cell Laboratory Completion of the TSTC program will qualify a student for entry-level work as a fuel cell technician.
