Recently in Workforce Category
The Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) is ready to graduate the nation's first four-year degrees in renewable energy systems. The program focuses on the uniqueness of managing renewable energy systems. According to Converge Magazine,
The renewable energy management systems degree requires basic knowledge in engineering, electrical circuits, motors and generators, thermodynamics, heat transfer and the language of computers. This is preparation for specialized courses in photovoltaics (solar energy research and technology), wind, biomass (the recycling of biological material), hydropower and geothermal energy development.To learn more, visit the program website and the news story at Converge Magazine.
The Research,
Education, and Extension arm of the US Department of Agriculture has developed a
Strategic Energy Science Plan. The vision of the plan is to "grow a clean,
efficient, sustainable energy future for America" with the goals of producing
sustainable agriculture and natural resource-based energy production;
sustainable bioeconomies for rural communities; efficient use of energy and
energy conservation; and workforce development for the bioeconomy. A few of the
interesting outcomes of the plan include:
- Certification systems to ensure sustainability of bioenergy and biobased products
- Whole life-cycle analysis of at least two regionally appropriate production systems
- Decision tools to help farmers, energy producers, and rural communities consider their participation in alternative-energy systems
- Triple the number of students in college- and
university-based bioenergy and bioeconomy education programs.
At its September 2007 meeting, the North Carolina Community College System’s Board of Trustees granted Central Carolina Community College the distinction of becoming the first in the state to offer a biofuels associate degree program. The two-year program, “Alternative Energy Technology: Biofuels,” and related certificate programs will provide the biofuels industry with workforce development and training. The degree program starts in fall 2008. Find out more here.
