Cincinnati State wins energy grant

April 23, 2009

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has received a grant of nearly $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand its programs in renewable energy, “green’’ manufacturing and construction, and other fields related to energy conservation and pollution control.

According to officials in the Grant Administration Office at Cincinnati State’s Division of Institutional Advancement, the money will be used over the next three years to expand course offerings and workforce training programs as well as support efforts by a consortium of schools, employers, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies to increase job opportunities in “green’’ businesses.

“This grant recognizes Cincinnati State’s commitment to help meet the needs of ‘green’ industries,’’ said Cincinnati State President Dr. John Henderson. “We believe these industries can become a significant catalyst for growth in Southwestern Ohio, and help provide high-quality jobs.’’

The $499,071 federal grant is designed to address the need for improved workforce training to meet the needs of regional employers who are trying to capitalize on emerging opportunities in green industries. It has four key components:
 

• The expansion of training programs at Cincinnati State and other educational institutions in Greater Cincinnati.
  
  Cincinnati State already offers certificate programs (essentially, a one-year sequence of courses) and associate degree programs in renewable energy, sustainable design and the operation of pollution control systems. By providing resources to buy necessary equipment and hire additional faculty, the federal grant will allow Cincinnati State and other schools to expand existing programs and launch new ones.
• The continued development of seamless, “articulated’’ pathways between the institutional partners.
  
  Cincinnati State already has agreements with the University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University, Franklin University and other post-secondary schools to ensure that courses taken at one institution will transfer, with full credit, to another. These articulation agreements will be expanded as new courses and programs are developed.
   
• The development of new certificate programs – notably through online and hybrid courses -- for training both new entrants to the workforce and incumbent employees.
  
  The University of Cincinnati’s Raymond Walters College will also support the conversion of existing green energy and construction courses to the distance learning format. This initiative will provide support options to those with low computer literacy, including tutorials on computer use and opportunities for interaction between learners and instructors.
   
• The development of additional articulation agreements with career and vocational high schools through the Greater Cincinnati Tech Prep Consortium, coupled with outreach efforts to employers through the Southwest Ohio Workforce Investment Board, the SuperJobs Center in Cincinnati and TechSolve.

For example, the Workforce Investment Board, through the SuperJobs Center, will work with the new program to identify potential candidates for training and provide assistance through training funds to support their education.

“The WIB and SuperJobs Center are excited about the opportunity to identify green employers and held define green jobs as a partner with the leadership of the Energy and Environment Center at Cincinnati State,’’ said Sherry Marshall, President and CEO of the Southwest Ohio Workforce Investment Board.

“This program brings together a broad coalition and leverages their resources to strengthen these efforts,’’ added Larry Feist, program chair for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at Cincinnati State’s Center for Innovative Technologies.

Feist noted that a portion of the federal grant will be used to support the newly created Manufacturing Technology Small Business Development Center at the TechSolve site in Bond Hill This center will provide comprehensive business management and education services to small manufacturers, technology firms and defense-dependent businesses interested in expanding into the green energy field.

The federal grant will also be used to support a green business initiative launched through the Greater Cincinnati Workforce Network, an ambitious regional partnership of philanthropists, governmental agencies, employers, educators, and community organizations that aims to help employers find and retain skilled employees and help low-skill, low-income residents further their education and get good jobs.

The Workforce Network is led by The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, with major support provided by the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. In addition, it supports The Green Job Creation Competitive Economy Action Team that has been convened by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber to identify opportunities within the Greater Cincinnati area in an effort to create jobs through the development and attraction of “green businesses” and state initiatives with the same objective.

Green Energy Fact Sheet

The following programs at Cincinnati State will be developed or converted to online/hybrid courses:
 

• The LEED Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals who achieve the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design process. The 47 credit hour certificate course covers Sustainable Design in HVAC and Lighting Systems; Alternative Energy Sources; Sustainable Site Design; Energy Audits; Construction Practices and Facilities Management for LEED Certification. The Department of Labor grant will allow development of an online version of the program.
   
• The Renewable Energy Certificate is designed for current electricians, technicians, engineers or anyone else who desires additional education in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency. The 18 credit hour program covers Technical Mathematics; Energy Devices; Energy Efficiency and Audits; Photovoltaic and Wind Devices; Fuel Cells and Solar Thermal and Geothermal Devices. The grant will help fund development of an online version of the course.
   
• The Photovoltaic Installer NABCEP™ Certificate covers the design and installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners offers a voluntary certification process that provides a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. Cincinnati State has received approval from the NABCEP to provide training for those who wish to sit for the certificate examination. The course involves hands-on work with PV systems and equipment. This program is intended for contractors, electricians, utility employees, engineers and other practitioners, with an overall goal of developing "system-knowledgeable" professionals to help ensure the safety and quality of PV system installations. It is being developed as a hybrid course which includes three hands-on sessions that will be scheduled on weekends to make it accessible to incumbent workers and those not living in the area.
   
• Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (EMET) - Renewable Energy Major and Certificate. The emphasis is on producing candidates for jobs with companies that want to be part of the advanced energy manufacturing chain. The certificate allows people without prior training to learn the renewable technologies and provides credit for those who wish to eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree.
   
• Power Systems Engineering Technology provides the skills to monitor and maintain the quality, availability, transferability and safety of power systems. It is a 119 credit hour course resulting in an associate’s degree with articulation to several local universities.