2006

FOR RELEASE:             November 3, 2006
CONTACT:                    Colleen Ryan (NYSERDA)  
                                    (518) 862-1090  ext 335

Premiere Conference on Renewable Energy & Efficiency Workforce Education
To be held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY

Albany, New York (November 3, 2006) - The first national conference on workforce education for the renewable energy and energy efficiency trades and industries will open on Wednesday, November 8 and continue on November 9, with optional workshops on Photovoltaics, Wind Energy Systems, Solar Thermal, Energy Audits and Course Development to be conducted on November 10. The conference is sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and organized by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, and Hudson Valley Community College.

NYSERDA President and CEO, Peter R. Smith, said "NYSERDA is proud to be the sponsor of a conference of this quality to address not only renewable energy, but also the trades and industries that will be responsible for its advances in future years. Attendance has exceeded our expectations with participants from more than 134 organizations, 30 States, and four countries having registered to attend."

The event is an opportunity for educational providers and faculty at Technical High Schools, Community Colleges, 4-Year Schools and training programs to learn about best practices and effective approaches to teaching renewable energy and energy efficiency workforce skills.

Sessions will deal with critical workforce topics such as jobs, trade programs, model specific area programs and integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy into other trades on campus. In addition, industry-based task analysis certification and training standards, establishing successful advisory committees, local job market assessments and creating hands-on renewable energy laboratories will be discussed.

The conference schedule will begin on Wednesday, November 8 in plenary session, with Michael Eckhart, President of the American Council on Renewable Energy, leading a discussion on the growth of renewable energy global markets. Other keynote speakers on the importance of quality assessment for professionals, products and training, will be Dr. Christine Niero of Professional Testing, Inc. and Dr. Jerry Ventre, formerly of the Florida Solar Energy Center. Other speakers will represent high schools, colleges and universities from across the United States to examine the similarities and differences among their areas.

"Renewable energy is not just a New York United States issue, it is a global issue of great importance and scope.  In its expansion lies the energy future of the world," said Smith.

For more information visit https://www.hvcc.edu/energyconference/