skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Workforce Education For Renewable Energy -- Lessons Learned From A National Gathering Of Educators

Conference ·
OSTI ID:1023892
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Latham, NY (United States)
  2. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Albany, NY (United States)
  3. Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, South Portland, ME (United States)

On November 8 -10, 2006, the first national conference on renewable energy workforce education was held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. The event was sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and organized by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE). Over 200 instructors, school administrators, and industry representatives attended this event representing 30 states and over 65 Community Colleges and Technical High Schools. The conference resulted in an enormous collection of information on the best practices and effective approaches to teaching workforce skills in the renewable energy trades and industries. This paper discusses the following educational strategies: the hybrid course delivery model; interdisciplinary instruction; linking technical high schools with the local community college; integrating a renewable energy concentration within an energy management degree program; expanding hands-on opportunities through internship programs; and an industry-sponsored certificate program. Recommendations by educators are also discussed.

Research Organization:
Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Latham, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE EE Office of Solar Energy Technology (EE-2A)
DOE Contract Number:
FG36-05NT42401
OSTI ID:
1023892
Report Number(s):
IREC401-012
Resource Relation:
Conference: Solar 2007 Conference, Cleveland, OH (United States), Jul 2007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English