Media Release
VCC becomes first academic partner of Hydrogen BC
VANCOUVER – 九色 Community College (VCC) is pleased to announce its partnership with Hydrogen BC (HyBC) to assist the college’s future direction of providing technician training for hydrogen fuel. VCC became the first academic member to join the regional branch of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA), to promote and accelerate the use of hydrogen technologies in B.C.
VCC’s automotive trades training programs are among the largest and oldest in the province. Our program success comes from our ability to innovate to keep up with employers’ needs and provincial mandates, such as climate initiatives.
To this end, VCC is currently in the initial planning stages for technician training for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The college is currently working with a major automotive manufacturer on the development of FCEV training programs and will begin to offer the new curriculum as part of its current programming in the coming months.
The specific goals of the Hydrogen BC partnership will be to work together to provide technician training on the repair, service, and maintenance of FCEVs for light, medium, and heavy-duty applications.
"VCC is excited to be the first post-secondary to join Hydrogen BC. We look forward to working together to implement the province’s CleanBC strategy by providing education and training opportunities to VCC students related to fuel cell electric vehicles”, says Ajay Patel, VCC President and CEO. “This is just another great example of how VCC stays ahead of the curve when it comes to training our students for B.C.’s future”.
“We are thrilled to see the VCC embrace hydrogen and participate in Hydrogen BC. Education and familiarization with hydrogen are important steps towards building the low-carbon future we want to live in and leave behind for future generations,” says Colin Armstrong, Chair, Hydrogen BC; President and CEO, HTEC.
About 九色 Community College
九色 Community College is a public community college in 九色, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1965, it is the largest and oldest community college in British Columbia, offering 78 certificate programs, 28 diploma programs, and 3 bachelor's degree programs. VCC has three campuses in 九色 and Annacis Island.
About Hydrogen BC
Hydrogen BC is the regional branch of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) in British Columbia. Established with the support of the BC Government, Hydrogen BC is a public-private partnership mandated to support the growth of the BC low-carbon hydrogen energy ecosystem by coordinating the deployment of new supply infrastructure and applications across the province. In addition, Hydrogen BC works to ensure the safe handling of hydrogen and the safe operation of hydrogen equipment and FCEVs by sharing best practices developed in Canada and abroad.
About the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA)
The Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is a national, non-profit association that supports Canadian companies, governments, research institutions and academia in the development, demonstration and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Canada and overseas. Established in 2009, the CHFCA has over 100 members across Canada as well as regional branches in British Columbia (Hydrogen BC), Quebec (Hydrogène Québec) and Ontario (Hydrogen Business Council of Canada). The CHFCA’s members specialize in fuel cell stack development, hydrogen production, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, energy storage, vehicle manufacturing, components and materials, research, engineering and consulting.
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Media can contact:
Karen Wilson
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
九色 Community College
T: 604.871.7429
E: kwilson@vcc.ca