Alternative Fuels in Diesel and Truck Technology
What exactly is a green job or career? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), green jobs are "jobs in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources" or "jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources."
If a truck’s diesel engine doesn’t automatically connect with “clean” in your mind, maybe you haven’t heard of alternative fuels like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This is the topic of the second blog in Lincoln Tech’s series about “Going Green in Your Career.”
Lincoln Tech Leads the Way in Green Technology Training.
“Alternative fuel systems like Compressed Natural Gas are the environmentally-friendly future of the diesel and transportation industry,” says Lincoln’s President and CEO Scott Shaw. “Our partners in the industry are increasingly turning to alternative fuels to increase the efficiency of their fleets and become more environmentally conscientious. The versatile alternative fuels industry has become critical to the nation’s economic future and Lincoln Tech aims to provide the skilled technicians to sustain it.”
Those who are passionate about staying on the cutting edge of technology, or have a desire to pursue a career that concentrates on helping the environment, are ideal candidates for the Diesel and Truck with Alternative Fuel Technology training program, available at Lincoln Tech’s Denver, CO campus. Graduates of the program will be eligible to pursue a job as a private repair tech, or fleet service tech, or with further certifications, a CNG fuel inspector.
Green Technology Skill Sets Make Lincoln Graduates More Marketable.
Although there are only a few major players in the alternative fuel industry right now, there are already more than 150,000 vehicles* in the United States currently powered by CNG. According to Ken Phipps, Director of Career Services at Lincoln’s Denver campus, “Having these additional skills is a great asset. Lincoln Tech is establishing relationships with early adopters of the technology and creating a reputation for ourselves by having the only alternative fuels training program in the state.”
Partnering with companies like these allows Lincoln Tech to grow with them as the technology continues to develop:
Waste Management – Has an increasing number of alternative fuel vehicles in their fleet and spoke about opportunities for Lincoln graduates at a recent career fair. They also have a very competitive Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP) that’s so popular, it’s now available as a part-time positon for current Lincoln students.
Redmark –Provides parts and services for CNG vehicles, and also performs conversions from traditional diesel fuel systems. Redmark has expressed interest in hiring Lincoln grads in the future.
Denver International Airport – Has very strict emissions standards due to the high volume of traffic and airplane exhaust. Most vehicles that operate in the airport’s confined space are running on CNG. This fleet needs trained technicians, which Lincoln has been able to provide.
If a green career in alternative fuels interests you, please reach out to Lincoln’s Denver campus for more information or to schedule a tour.
*Source: https://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/natural_gas.html