ACC OFFERS NEW COURSES ON SOLAR ELECTRICITY

Austin, TX – Feb. 14, 2006 – As “green-building” gains speed across Austin as the preferred method for new home and office construction, a new type of skilled worker is needed: one who can install solar energy systems.

Workers seeking this type of training need look no further than Austin Community College (ACC). The College has joined forces with the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to offer a 48-hour course in solar electricity for students to obtain the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic (PV) Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge.

“We are quite pleased to add this training to list of continuing education workforce programs we offer at ACC,” said Kirk White, executive director of ACC’s Continuing Education Workforce Development Center. “Based on the current response to the first class offering _ filled two sections of the course completely with 30 students _ the need for this training in Austin is apparent.”

“ACC will be looking to expand upon this success and investigate how to better meet the training needs of the growing renewal energy industry in Central Texas,” added White.

“It’s clear that the State has a role to play in preparing its workforce to meet consumer demand for qualified installers of renewable energy systems,” said Pam Groce, innovative program manager for the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). “This program will create a more knowledgeable workforce and students holding this industry-sponsored Entry Level Certificate will find that their job opportunities are enhanced.”

“The renewable energy industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the

United States and encompasses a broad portfolio of technologies and applications,” said Michael Kuhn, president of Imagine Solar Int’l. “ACC and SECO are taking a leadership position insuring that our workforce is ready to serve this industry.”

The current 14-week class runs Jan. 30 – May 6. In the program, students have a hands-on opportunity to install a photovoltaic system. The lead instructor for the course, John Hoffner, has more than 22 years of experience designing, installing, and operating solar electric systems and has conducted extensive renewable energy training and outreach throughout the US.

For additional information on this program, call (512) 223-7662.

Media Contact: Veronica Obregon, 223-7596 or 658-0772

Austin Community College is a public, two-year college offering associate degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas at six Central Texas campuses. Serving as the regional leader in workforce training, university transfer and adult access programs, ACC opens its doors each year to more than 65,000 credit and continuing education students who benefit from the College’s great faculty and staff. ACC is the eighth largest community college in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

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