Salt Lake Community College’s Green Academy offers many choices for students aspiring to careers in energy management through Continuing Education Units and courses.
The Green Academy assists individuals who have a desire to increase skills and knowledge in a rapidly changing workforce toward a career in green technology.
“We offer everything about alternative and renewable energy from an Associate of Applied Science degree in Energy Management to some large-scale Certificates of Proficiency that have been approved by the Board of Regents and all the way up to the Board of Trustees to a one-hour course that students can buy for themselves if they need to re-license as either an electrician or contractor,” says Judy Fisher, Program Coordinator at SLCC Green Academy.
Programs and courses offered through the SLCC Green Academy include Energy Management, Electric Sector Training and Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
Much of the Solar PV equipment used in training at SLCC is donated from various leading companies in the industry and uses the latest technology, preparing students well with trouble-shooting skills.
“Most of the students come in to get certified with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Thaniel Bishop is certified as a Photovoltaic (PV) installer through the NABCEP and was one of the first three in the state of Utah,” says Judy Fisher, Program Coordinator at SLCC Green Academy.
According to Fisher, the SLCC Green Academy has a reputation for having a really advantageous Solar PV program, keeping students ahead of their peers in the workforce due to the tools and training to which they are exposed during their time at SLCC.
“The state should ensure that industry is engaged in developing, promoting and assisting with contemporary skill-training workshops and programs in conjunction with regional education centers in order to provide qualified, work-ready employees to fill the retirement gap,” says Utah Governor Gary Herbert, recently in his ten-year energy plan.
The SLCC Green Academy is training students to fill the demand for skilled technicians in the workforce. One of those areas at SLCC this summer semester is the Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
Starting in August 2013, the Electric Power Technology Program will prepare students for careers as electrical maintenance technicians, line-workers, metering technicians, power-plant operations specialists and sub-station technicians.
Many of the courses offered at SLCC Green Academy meet the standards for the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), as well as teach the National Electronic Code (NEC). SLCC is also is an approved institution for several certification exams in the energy field.
