MCCC to Offer New Programs in Green Building and Green Management 7/21/09 Creating a sustainable future is fast becoming the model for development in the 21st century. Responding to the growing shift towards clean and efficient energy production in the United States and abroad, Mercer County Community College is launching two major new programs to help prepare the workforce for a greener future. A new credit certificate program will commence this fall in Solar/Energy Technology that offers students a foundation in construction, energy sources, energy auditing and solar panel installation. A new noncredit certificate program offered through MCCC's Center for Continuing Studies focuses on Green Future Management for professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, real estate, government, nonprofit management and sales. The fall semester for the credit program begins August 31, while the first class in the noncredit certificate series begins Sept. 15. Classes will be held on Mercer's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Graduates of the one-year, 31-credit Solar/Energy Technology program will develop a working knowledge of renewable energy systems, building construction systems, basic circuitry and electronic components. Hands-on training will focus on metalworking skills to fabricate electronic chassis and the application of energy auditing and weatherization processes to existing structures. Students will also develop skills in solar panel installation applications. The program includes a course on job searches, resume writing and interview skills. Some program credits may be applied to Mercer's AAS degree programs in Energy Utility Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology. The program is designed for students with an interest in architectural building technology and those in the field who seek to update their skills, as well as those studying or working in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning. Past work experience and prior college credits will be evaluated on an individual basis for possible credits towards completion of the certificate. Grads will be prepared for entry level positions in energy auditing, weatherization, basic circuitry and electronics, solar installation and building construction. Program Coordinator and MCCC Architecture Professor Garry Perryman notes that current economic and workforce development indicators show job growth in areas related to energy efficiency and sustainability in both new and existing building structures. PSE&G, with whom the college partners on its Energy Utility Technology program, is eager to begin utilizing MCCC grads with this type of expertise, according to Perryman. For more information, email perryg@mccc.edu or call 609-570-3357. In the 70-hour noncredit Green Future Management program, professionals in a variety of construction-related fields will add a valuable layer to their skill set. Providing the latest information on sustainable practices and projects, the certificate can be completed in the evening over five months and includes eight courses covering a range of issues and areas of expertise. All courses can be taken on an individual basis, but the first course, "Sustainability Fundamentals," presented Sept. 15, 16, 22, and 23 from 6 to 9 p.m., is a recommended prerequisite for all courses that follow. Additional classes include "Energy Efficient Design," "Indoor Environmental Quality," "Water Efficient Design," "Material Selection and Life Cycle Analysis," "Sales and Marketing," and "Green Building for Existing Homes." The program concludes with "Capstone Presentations" for students to present independent projects Jan. 12 and 13, 2010. The courses were developed by Robert Wisniewski, who will also teach several of them. Wisniewski is Diirector of Sustainable Development for Lincoln Park Development and a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified instructor. Wisniewski will draw on his years of hands-on environmental design, project management and construction experience with developers, architects and builders. He will explain and evaluate LEED certification, along with other emerging certifications such as BPI, USGBC, Energy Star, and Green Advantage. Those who complete the certificate program will be prepared to take the exam for basic LEED certification. To register or for more information on this program and other noncredit courses offered by MCCC's Center for Continuing Studies, email comed@mccc.edu or call (609) 570-3311. For more information, visit: Solar/Energy Technology Certificate Program (Credit) Green Future Management Certificate Program (Noncredit) Directions to MCCC Return to Current News

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