The program of eight classes and a practium teaches students the principles of renewable energy. The occupational education certificate students receive after graduation is the first offered anywhere in the state.
Assistant Director of Academic Affairs Kristin Owens said classes cover the fundamentals of power generated by solar, wind, geothermal and hydrological sources as well as methane recovery. Students learn about energy conservation, safety and project management.
 ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman Matanuska-Susitna College is looking to become the center of green education in Alaska. Accreditation is now official for its program in renewable energy. |
When students do walk away, the idea is they can immediately get a job in the burgeoning field, Owens said. She said there are employment opportunities with utility companies and large- and small-scale renewable producers. Graduates can design, install and maintain the different types of systems and work with businesses and homeowners on improving energy efficiency.
Because it’s the first and only post-secondary program geared toward renewable energy in the state, Owens said the interest has been high. She said she expects students to commute to the classes from the larger University of Alaska Anchorage. She has received inquiries asking if the classes will be offered online, but the hands-on nature of some of the classes prohibits this, she said. More realistically, Owens said the college is being asked about residential options for students interested in the program but who don’t live in the area.
The first class in the program began this month with the 25 seats filling up quickly, Owens said. The course offerings will expand to include four more classes next fall, each with 25 seats. The college can add more sections of the class as needed, but Owens said the college does not want to graduate 500 students per year out of the program.
“We would flood the market. That’s not ethical,” Owens said. “We want to make sure our graduates can find jobs locally.”
As the program expands, the college is already looking at holding classes at the new Community Recycling Center once it is finished. Classes will look at how to turn trash into energy, and the college is being consulted throughout the building process to make sure it accommodates the college’s needs.
Owens said they wanted to keep the program open to all who are interested. No previous college credit is required, but students must receive a passing grade on a basic math skills class before entering the program.
Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.
Comments
1 comment(s)J. Norris wrote on Feb 2, 2010 3:40 PM:
What jobs would someone be qualified to work at after having this training? "