Click here for updated information for registering on Thursday, June 11, 2009: registration-letter-for-interested-pv-students-c

With the number of people interested in the program, it is critical that prospective students understand the application and registration process required before signing up for the class. Click to READ this Prospective Student Letter May 5 2009. You can also go to the Sierra College web site to learn how to apply and register for classes. The photovoltaic classes are expected to be listed in June under Environmental Studies & Sustainability.

Go to the FAQ tab above for answers that were given at the orientations.

To receive email notification of program updates and when the classes are expected to posted on the online registration system, email the following information to sierraenergytech@sierracollege.edu:

• First and Last Name
• Mailing Address
• E-mail Address
• Phone Number
• Which campus (if any) you prefer to attend – Rocklin or Nevada County Campus (NCC)

The Green Capital Alliance aims to make the Sacramento region a leader in sustainability and support the growth of the clean technology sector in the six-county Sacramento region. The Green Capital Alliance unites employers, academic and research institutions, economic development and community organizations, and local governments.

Read the results of the Valley Vision Clean Energy Roundtables (.pdf) published 3-27-09, read the alliance’s news and find out about upcoming events.

According to the website: “The region has two of nation’s greenest buildings and is in top three for volume of LEED-certified office space (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the nationally accepted green building benchmark).”

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S since 1954.

Find an article on “how to land a green-collar job,”  check out the job board, and keep up on industry news.

The Center for International Trade Development is putting on a conference April 27-29 in San Francisco on the Implementation of Renewable Energy in the Emerging Markets of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.  For more information contact the Bay Area CITD at admin@bayareacitd.com or (650) 738-7098.

To learn more about applying to Sierra College and the pre-registration process go here. Only those students who have gone through the required registration process will be able sign up for the course. The courses will be posted for online registration in June. If you would like to request email updates on the program, please send the following information to us:

• First and Last Name
• Mailing Address
• E-mail Address
• Phone Number
• Which campus (if any) you prefer to attend – Rocklin or Nevada County Campus (NCC)

Sierra College’s new Energy Technology program will prepare students for careers as photovoltaic system technicians, installers, designers and sales representatives.

The first course in the Energy Technology program will be an introduction to photovoltaics. These classes will start the week of August 31, 2009. The current plan is to offer two class sections in South Placer County and one in Nevada County with up to a maximum of 24 students per section. Classes will meet twice per week (Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday) for lecture and lab hours beginning in the early evening (probably about 4:30) and emphasize hands-on, project-based learning. Although there are no prerequisites, an interest in science, good writing skills and high school level algebra and geometry are important.

If you are interested in this program, it is highly recommended that you apply to Sierra College and complete the admission and pre-registration process, well in advance of the course sections being posted on the Sierra College web site in June. Only those students who have gone through the required registration process will be able sign up for the course.

The process to become a Sierra College student may take longer than you think. Get started now so you will have completed all necessary steps to register for the Energy Technology classes when they become available.

Complete an Online Application, or in-person at the Admissions Office

Watch your email for your Sierra College Student ID Number
Apply for Financial Aid (optional)
Contact either the Rocklin Campus or Nevada County Campus Counseling Center here

To make an appointment for the following steps:

Assessment
Orientation
Meeting with a Counselor
Create your MySierra Account
Register for Courses

You are invited to attend a one-hour orientation session during April. These sessions are voluntary and will provide you with information about the curriculum planned for the program as well as typical jobs and working conditions in the photovoltaic industry. Choose from the dates and times below for one of these orientation sessions.

ORIENTATION SESSION LOCATIONS AND DATES

(NOTE: The orientations were offered in April. You can go to the FAQ tab above to learn more about the program.)

(Please see www.sierracollege.edu for college maps)

Rocklin Campus, Room V-318: Wed. April 1, 11:00 – 12:00 a.m. or April 7, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. or April 7, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. or April 22, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. or April 22, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.Nevada County Campus, Room L101: Thurs. April 23, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. or Mon. April 27, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. or Tues. April 28, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

The Green Jobs Guidebook is an extensive list of over 200 current green jobs and new careers anticipated to be in demand in California. The guide includes information on education, salaries and expected new positions. Many jobs pay $25-40 per hour or more depending on education and experience. The guide was produced by the Environmental Defense Fund with community partners.

May 4 Update: The orientations were held in April. If you missed them, please go to the FAQ tab for more information.

Students interested in the Sierra College Energy Technology classes starting in fall 2009 may want to attend an orientation to learn more about the program. These orientations will be offered at both the Rocklin and Nevada County campuses in April.

At the Rocklin campus they will be offered on:

Wed. 4/1 at 11 AM – 12 PM in V-318
Tues. 4/7 at 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM & 5:30 -6:30 PM in V-318
4/22 at 3 – 4 PM & 5:30 – 6:30 PM in V-318

Nevada County Campus orientations:

Thurs. April 23, 3:30 – 4:30 PM in Room L101
Mon. April 27, 6:00 – 7:00 PM in Room L101
Tues. April 28, 1:00 – 2:00 PM in Room L101

The Northstate Building Industry Association (BIA) Workforce newletter March 2009 article “Consider a Career in Photovoltaics” focused on the Sierra College Energy Technology program that will train photovoltaic technicians on pages 5-8. The newsletter describes other BIA school projects and reports on organizations offering student scholarships.

Brian Hurd, consultant to the Sierra College Energy Technology grant that is developing new curriculm, labs, instructors and program to prepare Solar Energy Technicians to work in the Photovoltaic industry in Placer and Nevada counties, was featured in a Wall Street Journal article on Feb. 17, 2009. In A New Gang Comes to Los Angeles: Solar-Panel Installers, reporter Miriam Jordan explains how Homeboy Industries “a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps people with criminal pasts find employment” partnered “with the East Los Angeles Skills Center, a public vocational school that offers a hands-on program to teach the design, construction and installation of solar panels.” Brian Hurd is a senior instructor for the program that has been very successful in placing students in high paying photovoltaic jobs. The article describes the dramatic turn around experienced by former gang members turned solar installers.

Sierra College is benefiting from Brian Hurd’s expertise in developing a relevant hands-on program at Sierra College that prepares students to meet industry needs.

The web site, energynorthstate.com, has a several down-loadable reports listed under Resource Reports that may be of interest. Topics include employment outlook, tax credits, economic recovery and other sustainable energy initiatives. The site is supported by the Northern Rural Training & Employment Consortium (NoRTEC), North Central Counties Consortium (NCCC) and Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED). These organizations are involved in identifying workforce development opportunities in the renewable energy industry.