TRAINING NEW ENERGY BOSSES

Community College Training for Managing Green Jobs
Elizabeth Olson, August 25, 2010 (NY Times)

"Beyond “green-collar” jobs, like retrofitting a home to conserve energy or helping build a wind farm, an energy-conscious economy will need a new generation of environmentally smart managers…[Community colleges] are stepping up…

"The federal government is pouring $500 million into training for green jobs…[Energy efficiency could grow] to some 1.3 million people…[E]ducational institutions are starting programs to train the managers…Some community colleges already are offering two-year degrees in environmental management and certificates for managers…These colleges are offering some courses and training on campus as well as online."

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"Lane Community College, in Eugene, Ore., …is offering two-year programs — for associate degrees in applied sciences — in energy management, renewable energy or water conservation…[I]ts degree programs are serving as models for 10 other community colleges… [S]ome short-term green job training programs have been criticized because they do not always lead to employment in the current economy…[but] demand…prompted Lane…to accelerate its two-year program…[A] trial program [will allow] students to earn their energy management degrees in fewer academic terms…[T]uition is subsidized as part of the federal stimulus funds for green courses and training, including a $2,500 tuition tax credit…

"…[S]tudents can also take the college’s other continuing education courses, including sustainable landscaping, and cross-disciplinary courses like natural resource economics, environmental politics and global ecology…Last year, the college won a $890,000 grant from the federal government — not stimulus money — for its accelerated program. An additional grant is being used to help 10 other community colleges across the country [including American River College in Sacramento; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay; Delaware Technical and Community College; and West Virginia University, in Parkersburg] begin or enhance their programs…"

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"Delaware Technical and Community College…will be offering an applied energy program to train energy managers and “green power” technicians starting in September…[It] plans to offer a two-year associate’s degree in applied science, first in energy management and then, starting in the 2011 academic year, in solar energy management…Such training is also being offered in rural areas, with online environmental degrees and certificates…

"[M]any of the green learning programs [are] for workers in transition and required education beyond a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree…A few, like the College of Southern Maryland, in La Plata, offer management programs, including one in environmental planning, and a separate program in environmental management. These programs provide a letter of recognition, and not a degree…For those seeking a four-year degree, …about two dozen four-year colleges and universities across the country offer degree programs with courses that are directly relevant to the energy efficiency sector."