Workshops, workshops, workshops at the 2011 Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference

Registration is now open for the 4th National Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference in Saratoga Springs, March 8-10, 2011. The conference offers an extensive list of technical, hard-to-find, and thought-provoking workshops. Selecting just one will be hard.

Most workshops will be held at the Conference's Saratoga Hilton Hotel.  Two will be located at the state-of-the-art TEC-SMART facility in nearby Malta, NY.   Register now and take advantage of early bird rates. 

Here's a sampling of what's in store:

Bill Brooks from Brooks Engineering will lead two, half-day workshops.  The first will be on fire codes for photovoltaic power systems. This course satisfies three hours of NABCEP Continuing Education Credits, and also satisfies three of the six-hour requirement of instruction related to Codes (National Electrical or Fire Code).  Registration for this workshop will be waived for fire service personnel.  Mr. Brooks' second workshop will focus on the National Electric Code's requirements for designing and installing photovoltaic systems. This course satisfies 3.5 hours of the six-hour requirement of PV technical instruction for NABCEP recertification. 

Roger Ebbage from Lane Community College will be teaching the characteristics of energy efficiency in commercial buildings and Craig Clark, along with his colleagues from Alfred State College, will focus their workshop on integrating green home construction and renewable energy into training programs.

Pete Skinner and Betsy Ferris Wyman will hold an interactive and lively workshop covering critical topics for instructors of solar thermal design and installation.  This workshop satisfies 6 hours of NABCEP Continuing Education credits for solar thermal instruction for NABCEP recertification. 

Brian Hurd will spend the day walking through the key components on how to teach photovoltaics.  This workshop is designed for educators new to photovoltaic instruction or those who want a good review course.

Over at TEC-SMART, Roy Butler will give an advanced workshop on small wind installer training.  Mike Veeder will focus on geothermal application and design.  Both will use the labs at TEC-SMART.

Back at the Saratoga Hilton, an interdisciplinary workshop will be held on energy literacy for K-12.  Jamie Crouse, a NYSERDA Energy Educator, will go over classroom activities that will help students understand the energy trilogy -- economics, efficiency and environment.

An afternoon workshop dives into the fascinating world of biomimicry which mimics shapes and processes in nature leading to cleaner, simpler and more efficient technologies.  NYSERDA's Dana Levy will be the instructor and will include information on educational materials and resources.

Also in the afternoon, Pat Fox from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, will lead a dynamic discussion on navigating the ISPQ Accreditation process.  Bring your questions.

Find out more about these workshops

Following the March 8 workshops will be two days of conference sessions with over 80 presentations on a wide range of topics including balancing classroom and field experiences, incorporating new skills into training programs, introducing clean energy technologies and careers to high school students, instructional strategies for creative learning, labor market research results, workforce strategies by the trades and utilities, providing new opportunities for disadvantaged workers, and much more.  You can see the Preliminary Program on the IREC website or download the Registration Brochure.

We had a full house at the 2009 Conference.  Register early to get a seat and the special rate. Purchase Orders as method of payment are welcome. Please have the Purchase Order number available when you register.

The 2011 primary conference sponsor is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).  The Interstate Renewable Energy Council is the primary organizer.  For more information about the conference, visit the IREC website.