Hybrid Electric Vehicle Training with NTPC
The number of hybrid electric vehicle (HEVs) running on our roads have drastically increased.
And the question most of us are asking ourselves is: “Why is there an increase in number of HEVs? Is it because of price of the car, is it more economical or is it because most of vehicle manufactured are HEVs.
The answer is yes to all.
Due to global warming, all car manufactures have committed towards saving the planet, and are working towards producing green cars.
A green car, or environmentally friendly cars, are the cars that produce less harmful impacts to the environment than conventional internal combustion engine cars running only on gasoline or diesel. One of the most commonly used green cars running on our roads are HEVs, which is powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, which uses energy stored in high voltage batteries. Future of the HEVs running on our roads mostly depends on the backup service and repairs.
It has been noticed that the owners and drivers using HEVs are facing lots of difficulties in maintaining these cars.
This is because most of the personnel’s working on these cars are not trained.
The National Training and Productivity Center (NTPC) is committed towards providing skills trainings to our industries.
Training on Hybrid Electric Vehicles
The National Training and Productivity Centre offers skills training short courses on hybrid electric vehicles.
The training programme is designed for hybrid vehicle technical officers, sales and operations representatives, owners and drivers, driving instructors, fleet officers, emergency responders, vehicle examiners, vehicle assessors, and anyone interested in developing themselves to up-skill knowledge in hybrid electric vehicle systems. The lead trainer received handson training on hybrid vehicles from Malaysia, with the Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST) and Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Certification.
The development of programme is done after a series of discussions with the automotive industry, and with recommendation from regulatory body (Land Transport Authority) and International Labor Organization (ILO).
What HEV Training Covers
The training basically covers the knowledge HEVs, the safety associated with handling HEVs during emergency, servicing and repairing. It also highlights the types of tools and equipment needed to carry out work on HEVs.
As the training moves from basic to higher level, it goes into the specialised training on high voltage system.
Most of our participants have completed their first level, and should be applying for the next levels which covers HEV batteries, motor drives, controllers and diagnostics.
Hybrid electric vehicle training is part of whole automotive electrical and electronics programme. The new participants who wish to join automotive industry can enroll for whole programme.
Type of training
The type of training adopted in this is competency base training (CBT).
The “competencies” of this programme are designed to meet your actual knowledge and professional experience.
In a sense, you will be acquiring the specific set of skills you need to achieve to proceed with next level.
Why training is important?
It has been noticed that the ‘trialand-error method’ is still being practiced in the automotive industry.
The technicians and mechanics trying fix faults on HEVs by replacing series of components which incurs additional cost to the repair.
The other disadvantage of this method is that continuous replacement and testing takes up additional time.
What any vehicle owner needs is a better quality of repair work within the time frame and with reasonable cost.
This is only possible with a knowledgeable and skilled technician who will be able to detect, rectify and repair faults on the vehicle.
From this training, you will be
better informed about potential dangers and the importance of using the right tools and working methods to avoid accidents.
Ask yourselves, what is your level of knowledge today on HEV?
Are you on par with this new technology.
Do you know how to safeguard yourself and your co-workers from injuries caused by high voltage system, and know what to do in case of emergency or an accident? For owners and drivers, do you know what you are owning and driving?
Individuals can develop their skills by undergoing this hybrid electric vehicle training with the National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC), as we offer trainings with the most advanced tools and equipment that would benefit the overall business and provide for consumer satisfaction. At NTPC, we offer at campus training and in-house training. We design programmes to meet
the industrial requirement. We conduct flexible mode training where participants can attend training after working hours.
Who all have gained from this training.
More than 200 participants have trained with the first level of training, out of which 30 per cent were private students and 70 per cent were sponsored students. Organisations which sponsored participants for training included, Land Transport Authority (LTA) in central and western division, Carpenters Motors in central and western division, Williams and Gosling Group in Suva and Lautoka, Ministry of Youth and Sports in central and western division and International Labor Organisation (ILO) in central, western and northern divisions.
Recommendation for training
We have heard or encountered hybrid cars catching fire.
What every individual needs to be aware of is that these HEVs are equipped with a high-voltage system and a high voltage battery.
The high voltage system has risk of electric shocks, fire and explosion.
It is important for owners, drivers and emergency responders to know what to do in case of emergency.
Automotive mechanics and technicians need to upgrade their skills and qualifications on HEV system, to rectify and repair faults using correct procedures.
Every individual dealing or handing HEVs need to know the correct safety procedures.
All these is only possible through training with NTPC.
Our training will also improve productivity in the automotive industry by eliminating the trial and error method and giving customers satisfactory service.