The Jamaican German Automotive School (JAGAS) got a much-needed boost on Monday when it was presented with a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid front clip.

The part, donated by past student and managing director of Superior Parts, Derrick Johnson, is to acquaint automotive technicians with "new and emerging technologies".

The '03 front clip is equipped with a 1.3 L single overhead cam lean burn engine with VTEC cylinder cut off - which allows the engine to turn off during acceleration, reducing friction losses and allows the brake regeneration cycle to be more efficient.

timely addition

Paulette Dunn-Smith, executive director of HEART Trust/NTA, welcomed the gift, saying it was a timely addition and an excellent technological resource. She also lamented the state of vocational training in today's high schools, saying that not enough "traditional high schools" were including trade training in their curriculum. She was of the opinion that too much negative stigma was attached to students "applying themselves to learning a skill". Popular opinion must be more forgiving, she intoned.

When asked about the impact the acquisition would have on the curriculum, Desmond James, head of JAGAS Auto Clinic, said that there was already a rudimentary programme in place that dealt with what he called the "mentionables" of hybrid technology (a term used for the teaching of technology's coming of age).

"It will be used to enhance our level three (third year) curriculum. We will put in the components that are needed to upgrade [our capability] to disseminate information as it relates to hybrid technology."

mario.james@gleanerjm.com