Education & Training for Energy & Water Professionals
Read the latest happenings in green energy, solar PV, building efficiency, water conservation plus more!!
It’s a local version of the Green New Deal proposed in 2019 by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
My name is Mia Hocking and I am a current LCC student enrolled in online Energy Management courses. I have worked for the Hillsboro School District since January 2010. In July 2018, I started a new position with the district as Resource Conservation Manager. This RCM position has experienced some turnover and I was looking for a creative challenge. Be careful what you ask for J It’s an amazing opportunity to do good things; save money, save resources, the collaboration between departments, develop programs and policies, engage our youth, and the list goes on. Even with all my ideas and desire to achieve, I realized that I really needed professional development in this new career. My research for education in this field led me to Roger Ebbage and that is how I found the Online Energy Management program at LCC.
I live and work in Hillsboro, OR so this is a major factor in my decision to enroll in this LCC program. I have not found similar programs or opportunities close to home. I also appreciate that I can complete the coursework around my daily work schedule. The district maintenance department has been understaffed for years and increasingly difficult to find skilled tradesmen interested in working for HSD. Given these circumstances, I felt that I needed resources that allowed me the opportunity to apply coursework to my daily tasks. I can say, without hesitation that LCC’s Online Energy Program and my instructors have provided applicable and accessible knowledge and training that continues to enhance my professional development.
Initially considering a commitment to a 2-year program and learning a new job seemed like a huge undertaking. It has been. However, I have only felt support and encouragement from both instructors, mentor, and my district. Considering that I have had to learn how to do my job without internal guidance, I am grateful to have made so many industry connections. I have much to learn yet, but I feel much more confident than if I had not enrolled in this program.
Below is a photo of Keith, one of our HVAC technicians and myself sitting in front of our HVAC controls workstations.
Our Water Conservation Technician Program is ONLINE. You can take it from anywhere!!!
The Water Conservation Technician program consists of an inspiring community of students and faculty dedicated to improving community water security and quality using ecologically sustainable practices. Through the two-year Water Conservation Technician online program, you will be prepared for the growing field of Water Conservation and the challenges a shortage of water will bring.
The Program trains individuals to evaluate water use patterns; develop, implement, market, and maintain conservation programs; perform public outreach; recommend water efficiency techniques; integrate alternative water sources, and perform systems analysis to solve problems.
As water-related issues continue to increase, more voluntary and mandatory water conservation opportunities are being created that require a technical skillset like that which is offered within this program. Employment opportunities in Water Conservation are excellent. Students must consider the Western United States when seeking employment as those willing to relocate will have greater employment opportunities.
You no longer need to move to Eugene, Oregon (our fair city) to participate in the Lane Community College, 2-year Energy Management Degree, Energy Management with Building Controls Option or the Water Conservation Technician Degree.
Our two-year degrees offer fully online courses, (which means you never need to set foot on our campus) in addition to providing hands-on skills with “real world” field projects and cultivating employment opportunities with local/regional employers.
The Energy Management program will teach you how to evaluate energy use patterns, recommend energy efficiency techniques, integrate alternative energy sources, and perform systems analysis to solve problems - all very marketable skills used in the Energy Management (saving the human race) industry! ....and the labor market is vibrant! Don't wait to get into this program and find that degree that matches your environmental ethic! We are taking applications for classes now!!
More good news - We Have brought our Controls Option online as well! Our controls option develops skills in the above Energy Management defined skill set and then overlays digital Building Controls courses that provide students with the knowledge to manage and troubleshoot building automation systems to run more effectively.
And we are now almost ready for the Building Automation Controls Apprenticeship Program. This will happen in the Fall of 2021 with the Department of Energy. This will include a 2000 hour paid apprenticeship portion as well as a 2 year AAS degree. The job market is booming!! Call Roger for additional information. 541-463-3670.
"Today’s controls workforce is responsible for delivering much more than reliable operations and/or expected temperature comfort to a particular building area."
Charles Cohen Sustainability Education Director SIEMENS, Infrastructure & Cities
The Water Conservation Technician Program trains individuals to evaluate water use patterns; develop, implement, market, and maintain conservation programs; perform public outreach; recommend water efficiency techniques; integrate alternative water sources, and perform systems analysis to solve problems.
As water-related issues continue to increase, more voluntary and mandatory water conservation opportunities are being created that require a technical skillset like that which is offered within this program. Employment opportunities in Water Conservation are excellent. Students must consider the Western United States when seeking employment as those willing to relocate will have greater employment opportunities.
Don't wait to get into this program and find that degree that matches your environmental ethic! We are taking applications for classes now!! Some classes require previous coursework and are offered sequentially. Check with the Program Coordinator, , or 541-463-3670.
Greater News! - The Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) has committed $25,000 for Energy Management Program Scholarships. To qualify for a scholarship, students must live and/or work in the EWEB service territory, be a declared Energy Management major, and enrolled in an Energy Management Program (NRG) core class. For more information and to receive an application please contact Roger Ebbage, Program Coordinator, at or 541-463-3670
EWEB Scholarships donated by 
Additional Scholarships are available through the American Public Power Association. DEED Funding for Students. Check it out!!!
More Great News!! The Energy Management Program has secured $20,000 to offer partial scholarships to students who are customers of public power. Applicants must be a declared Energy Management major and enrolled in an Energy Management Program (NRG) core class. For more information and to receive an application please contact Roger Ebbage, Program Coordinator, at or 541-463-3670
Public Power Scholarships made possible by 
The LCC Energy Management Program has entered the small circle of Approved Education Providers for the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Certified Energy Managers (CEM) exam. After a rigorous crosswalk process comparing the Lane Program course content with what is provided through a CEM exam preparation workshop presented around the country by the AEE, it was deemed that our content is similar enough that AEE has given the Lane Program graduates entry into the CEM exam w/o going through the week-long AEE CEM preparation workshop. Program graduates will be CEM in Training until they get the required number of years (6) of experience in the energy efficiency industry.
This is a big deal since the AEE CEM recently went through the ANSI 17024 standard accreditation process and is now ANSI accredited which is a very high bar to cross. We are happy to be on the team and our students should recognize the high quality of instruction they receive through the Energy Management program now validated by this accredited education provider program recognition.
You have the power to make a difference by directly funding water and energy educational programming through Lane Community College.
Be sure to select "other" under the designation and then type in "Energy Management"