Cork apprentices get access to hybrid electric training vehicle

Apprenticeship students on the St. John’s Central College Motor Technology Pre-Apprenticeship course are among the first in Ireland to have access to a brand-new hybrid electric training vehicle.

The addition of this new hybrid electric training vehicle to the Cork-based college means that students on the course will be even more up to date with the latest in hybrid and electric vehicle motor technology.

Students will be educated on some of the unique systems and procedures in modern hybrid electric vehicles, as opposed to traditional design internal combustion engine vehicles.

The training vehicle, which is valued at €30,000, is equipped with simulated faults on the engine management system to show how to diagnose and take electrical measurements on sensors etc. which can all be done from a dedicated box inside the vehicle.

Principal Paula McCarthy welcomed this new addition to the Motor Technology Pre-Apprenticeship. She said: “We are thrilled to have such a fantastic resource available to our students here in St. John’s Central College.

“The ever-increasing number of hybrid electric vehicles on our roads means that ultimately they will require repair / bodywork etc. and our students will be well educated and have gained practical experience in dealing with the systems, thanks to our new training vehicle.”

Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) chief executive, Denis Leamy added: “Cork ETB is hugely proud of the fact that our students are the first in Munster to have access to this state-of-the-art piece of technology. We know that this will be instrumental in the education and development of our Apprentices in their Motor Technology Career.

“We will continue to strive to improve educational resources and facilities for our primary schools, post primary schools and our Further Education colleges across the city and county.”