As Illinois quickly expands photo voltaic power growth, {industry} house owners are struggling to maintain up with the demand for expert employees. Training alternatives like Harper College’s Green Economy applications assist fill the hole. In the previous 4 years, Harper’s Continuing Professional Education (CPE) division has added 4 new inexperienced financial system applications, together with courses in photo voltaic power, technical gross sales and cybersecurity.
With help from Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) funding and curriculum partnerships with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEB) and Solar Energy International (SEI), Harper CPE works to offer foundational coaching for people to earn industry-recognized credentials. Current programs embody Solar PV Associate, Solar Business and Technical Sales, Cybersecurity in a Smart Energy Environment, and Solar Energy and Networking Basics. Solar set up course continues.
“We know that jobs in Illinois’ inexperienced financial system will enhance over the subsequent few a long time,” stated Cristina Willard, director of Harper’s CPE. “Illinois legislators made a dedication on this space with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which straight helps those that wish to enter this {industry}.”
Harper emphasizes pursuing all kinds of programs, each credit score and non-credit. Traditional credit score courses embody programs in biology (reminiscent of Humans and the Environment), Environmental Law, and Energy and Society, the final of which introduces non-science majors to the results of power consumption on the setting. Learn extra at harpercollege.edu/sustainability/green-classes.php.
Meanwhile, the Community Education (CE) division has launched applications to assist inform people about the advantages and profession alternatives for photo voltaic power, together with Green Living Basics: Solar and Renewable Energy Career Exploration. It is sponsored and funded partially by Harper’s partnership with the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund. Learn extra at ce.harpercollege.edu.
Solar CPE programs are housed on campus on the Learning and Career Center in Prospect Heights, with designated classroom area, simulation tools and dealing photo voltaic panels. Learn extra about Harper’s inexperienced financial system certification coaching at harpercollege.edu/professional/greeneconomy.php.
