The Vital Role of Community Colleges in Building a Sustainable Future and Green Workforce
AED.ORG PUBLICATIONS | April 2009 By Mindy Feldbaum, with Hollyce States
Lane Community College was recently featured in a publication created for the National Council for Workforce Education and the Academy for Educational Development.
This report examines the growing role of community colleges in a low-carbon, clean energy economy, and:
provides examples of innovative strategies and practices used by community colleges to address climate change, environmental stewardship, and green workforce development;
offers information on the fastest growing sectors and jobs in the clean energy/green economy that provide strategic opportunities for community colleges and their students;
stimulates the dialogue on the role of community colleges in creating a sustainable future;
presents useful Web sites and resources for further information.
From the federal to the state level, governments are giving a boost to new technology and energy sources. President-elect Obama promised five million "green collar" jobs. Governor Kulongoski is working to bring electric cars--and related manufacturing plants--to the state. There are also numerous long-term and emerging "green" businesses already in Oregon. KLCC's Jes Burns has the second in our Special Issues series on the economy.
SOLARPRO | December/January 2009 By Lisa Cohn and Elisa Wood, with Charles Thurston
Community and junior colleges have stepped up to train workers for the emerging green-collar economy. Solar companies partner with colleges to help them develop curriculum materials and design programs, particularly for solar installers—then they recruit their graduates. “The community college system is an excellent way for employers to find well-qualified applicants. Part of the reason is that we’re so connected to the industry,” says John Carrese, director of the San Francisco Bay Center of Excellence, hosted at City College of San Francisco.
Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, for instance, offers an Energy Management Technician degree with an optional emphasis on renewable energy. The rigorous 100-credit program is housed in the Science Division and is ISPQ accredited by the Institute of Sustainable Power. Program Coordinator Roger Ebbage says the program began in September 2003 and has seen this year’s enrollment nearly triple the first year’s.
The Vital Role of Community Colleges in Building a Sustainable Future and Green Workforce
Going Green: Lane Community College Feature
klcc_northwestpassage_greenjobs.mp3
