Community Colleges and the New Green Economy: Summit to Help Meet the Challenge

Source: Green Technology (www.green-technology.org)

Millions of workers will be needed in the coming years as innovations in renewable energy, energy efficiency and other green technologies come online. Accounting for 79 percent of higher education enrollment in the state, and on the front lines of workforce development, community colleges are key to building the new green economy. They are also becoming test beds for the implementation of new technologies in green building, energy efficiency and on-site power generation.

The 2009 Green California Community Colleges Summit (October 5-7 at the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, California) is the largest conference dedicated to sustainability at community colleges. Designed to support the innovative sustainability projects that are underway at community colleges throughout California, it has become the place for everyone involved in community colleges to learn and network. At last year’s summit, representatives from almost every one of the 109 community colleges in California, and elsewhere, shared experiences and information with members of state government, green products and services suppliers and other stakeholders.

With the theme “Green Solutions for Tough Economic Times,” the Summit has developed an education program of pre-conference workshops and concurrent sessions in full recognition of the current economic climate. It includes numerous sessions on funding sources for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, as well as information on the savings potential of green programs. The program also addresses curriculum, transportation and other green campus issues. AIA credits are available for some sessions.

Keynote speakers during the two general sessions at the event will be David Crane, Special Advisor to the Governor of California for Jobs and Economic Growth; and Jerome Ringo, President of the Apollo Alliance.

For the second year, the Los Angeles Community College District, in partnership with PV Jobs, the Foothill Workforce Investment Board, and the California Employment Development Department, is organizing a Green Job Fair to be held during the Summit. The Job Fair has proved to be a successful forum for connecting students currently enrolled in training programs at community colleges with green companies.

The Green California Community Colleges Summit was developed under the guidance of an advisory board that includes leaders in the greening of California’s community colleges and the development of curriculum that can prepare students for "green collar" jobs.

The Green O&M: Facilities Management Strategies, Pre-Summit full day class on Monday, Oct. 5th offers six AIA CEU credits (http://www.green-technology.org/ccsummit/education-program.htm#monday) .
For more information or to register, go to http://www.green-technology.org/ccsummit/index.html, or call Cindy Dangberg at 626-577-5700.