The biofuels industry is rapidly picking up steam and the fast track growth is spurring a demand for professionals who are educated in biodiesel, ethanol and other alternative fuels. The American Biofuels Council wants to meet that demand wtih a new biofuels educator program.
The American Biofuels Council (ABC), a national grassroots communications network for the advancement of biofuels adoption, has announced that it has launched the Certified Biofuels Educator (CBE) program to train and certify government, corporate, and school staff as well as community volunteers in providing accurate and comprehensive biofuels information.
Sean O’Hanlon, Founder and Executive Director of the ABC, said, “There is enormous demand for this type of program. Government departments, corporations, schools and community groups want to talk to someone who combines local community knowledge with up-to-the-minute awareness of biofuels. Too many people who talk to them have little knowledge, or an axe to grind. This program will solve that problem.”
The CBE course consists of a home-study reading program followed by a weekend of live instruction covering eight modules. CBE candidates will receive training on each type of biofuel including advantages and disadvantages of each, regional considerations, availability of fuels, transition plan development, and community group communications skills. They will also receive comprehensive training on biofuel feedstocks. The course is capped by a proctored examination, and successful candidates will receive the CBE designation. CBE holders will be required to take continuing education courses to retain their Certificate.
“Our goal is to have 500 CBEs trained and certified within the next 12 months,” said O’Hanlon. “We are excited about the impact that CBEs will have in reducing the carbon footprint of their departments, enterprises, schools and groups, as a new, professionally trained resource for their communities.”
The program is open to all US residents over the age of 18, and applications can be downloaded at http://www.americanbiofuelscouncil.com/. The courses have a nominal charge for materials, but are taught by ABC volunteers. The first examinations are scheduled for Miami, FL on October 20-21, and will rapidly expand across the country in the 4th quarter of 2007.
“As a nation, we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by producing fuel domestically,” said Mr. O’Hanlon. “In addition, biofuels are virtually carbon neutral, contributing little in the way of greenhouse gases to global warming, unlike fossil fuels,” he said. “Last but not least, producing our own fuel creates jobs and helps reduce our trade deficit, and since biofuels are produced from various sources of biomass, the supply is almost limitless.”
ABC’s mission is to advance the uses of alternative fuels and other products derived from biomass, by promoting research, development and education on the use of biofuels. It brings information to consumers, enterprises and local governments, and, in turn, represents the grassroots at the national level.