Project Title 

Capacity Building of Academic Institutions to Enhance Supply of Skills in Auto-LPG Vehicle Conversion, Repair and Maintenance

Partner Agency 

• NCR – Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig (TUP-T)
• Luzon – Cavite State University (CvSU)
• Visayas – Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC)
• Mindanao – University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP)

Project Description

Aligned with the objective to develop and commercialize cleaner alternative fuels and energy technologies for transportation, specifically, to promote the use of LPG as alternative fuel for transportation, the Department of Energy (DOE) partnered with various state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country to enhance the supply of skills in Auto-LPG vehicle conversion, repair, and maintenance. 

The DOE allocated budget for this purpose and each university received Php 1,000,000 for the implementation of the Project. 

The partner SUCs were strategically selected in major regions offering the technical vocational courses as conduit to provide basic knowledge and technical skills on auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance. Included in the project objectives is the putting up of a fully-functional Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance workshop for the training needs of the students taking up Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology and other related courses. The project also aimed to produce a significant number of Auto-LPG technicians that will support the sector on Auto-LPG vehicles for the transport program of the government. 

Outputs and Deliverables

1.    Each partner SUC in this program has established a fully-functional Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance workshop for the hands-on training needs of the students.

a.    Each institution acquired necessary tools and equipment for the workshop.

b.    All SUCs installed a car lifter in their workshops. 

c.    Each partner university acquired instructional engines and trainer vehicle as part of the resource materials for their performance testing and visual presentation for effective knowledge and skills transfer. 

2.    Theory in Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance was incorporated in the curriculum of the Automotive Technology subjects of each partner institution. Specifically, Auto-LPG conversion is discussed in the following subjects of the SUCs:

a.    TUP-T (BS Mechanical Engineering and BTVTEd in Automotive Technology)

•    MT1T Machine Tools and Processes
•    AT1T Automotive Engineering System
•    AT2T Automotive Mechanical Components
•    AT4T Fuels and Lubricants
•    AT6T Automotive Workshop

b.    CvSU (BTVTEd in Automotive Technology)

•    AUTO80 Automotive Shop and Practice IV

c.    CHMSC (BS Industrial Technology in Automotive Technology)

•    TECHNO5 Automotive Advanced Troubleshooting, Auto-airconditioning, and AutoLPG Retrofitting/Conversion

d.    USeP (BTVTEd in Automotive Technology)

•    AT221 Carburetion and Fuel Injection

3.    Through the program, partner universities successfully certified eligible technicians that will contribute to the further development of AutoLPG industry. The number of graduates for each university are as follows:

a.    TUP-T – 71 graduates (44 BSME and 27 BTVTEd)

b.    CvSU – 33 graduates (BS Industrial Technology)

•    CvSU also conducted a trainor’s training to the training specialists of TUP-T and USeP and produced 9 certified AutoLPG trainors.

c.    CHMSC – 178 graduates for three (3) academic years (BS Industrial Technology)

Accomplishments

The Project’s capacity building of academic institutions through a trainor’s training conducted in the Southern Isabela College of Arts and Trades (SICAT) with automotive expert as trainers.  The training was intended to equip future trainors the necessary knowledge and skills in autoLPG conversion, repair and maintenance. Delegates of the training include facilitators from CvSU and CHMSC and experts from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and DOE. In conclusion of the training, CvSU and CHMSC participants were able to install LPG kits to two (2) light driving vehicles and were given a Certificate of Competency in Automotive Servicing NC III with specialization in AutoLPG Retrofitting and Conversion. 

To increase the number of highly-skilled technicians in Auto-LPG industry, CvSU conducted a capacity building training to faculty members of partner SUCs. There were a total of nine (9) participants: six (6) from TUP-T and three (3) from USeP. Discussed in the training were operation and safety procedures in the installation and conversion of gasoline engine to Auto-LPG-fed engine. The participants successfully installed an Auto-LPG kit in a vehicle. 

Another accomplishment in this project is the establishment of a fully-equipped laboratory workshop for Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance. These workshops will serve as the training ground for students taking up Automotive Technology. Notably, all SUCs installed a car lifter in their workshops for under chassis servicing works in vehicles. 

To secure the continuous supply of skilled technicians in the Auto-LPG industry, partner SUCs incorporated Auto-LPG Retrofitting and Conversion in their curriculum. Auto-LPG conversion, repair and maintenance is included in five (5) subject courses in TUP-T, and one (1) subject course each in CvSU, CHMSC, and USeP. Instructors in these courses were trained under this project. 

Remarks

All partner SUCs involved in the project were able to successfully comply with the objectives of the agreement.  Ultimately, the program ensured the continuous supply of skilled technicians which will contribute to the realization of the commercialization of autoLPG-fuelled vehicles as clean alternative option for cleaner public transport.