Colleges offer programs for alternative energy
NEOSHO — It appears more Missouri rural roads lead to new “green” energy businesses.
Large white blades captivate drivers traveling in the northwestern part of the state. From a distance, the methodical spin looks like it is even blowing the clouds. Wind turbines started sprouting in this agricultural area within the past four years. However, it is not the only alternative energy take hold in rural communities.
Grain trucks traverse rural roads in Central Missouri making their way to the nearest biofuel plant. The state is home
to six ethanol and two biodiesel plants. All of the facilities are in small towns, some on the outskirts of the city limits, while others are right in the heart of downtown.
Travel a little farther southwest, and large reflective panels dot the rural landscape. Solar energy is catching on in communities around the Springfield area.
With all of this new interest in the green economy comes a new opportunity for green jobs. However, finding workers to fill this niche business can be difficult.
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, 79 percent of employers currently rely on in-house or on-the-job training. But, some community colleges might be changing the way to train students for emerging green workforce.
Crowder College in Neosho and North Central Missouri College in Trenton offer an Alternative Energy Degree Program. The program is designed to provide engineering and science students the foundation for solar and renewable energy technology.
The program offers an associates of arts degree (AA), associates of applied science degree (AAS), as well as certifications in the field of alternative energy.
“There has been much interest in all areas including solar, wind, biofuels and green building,” says Amy Rand, associate dean of program development and educational support at Crowder College. “Students are interested in the program because they want to become a better consumer and user of energy.”
Rand says students also see great potential in obtaining jobs in this career field. Students are able to qualify for several positions right out of college. She says others choose to take their degree and continue their education at a four-year educational institution.
Crowder College became the training ground for the alternative energy field in 1992. At that time, the Missouri Legislature designated the college as the Missouri Alternative Renewable Energy Technology Center.
However, Rand says most of the degrees and certificates began just last year. Before that time, the college offered classes only in solar energy and pre-engineering.
But, with the influx in alternative-energy projects across the state, Rand has seen an increase in enrollment. This year’s class is up to 57 students.
“Students are from all areas (of the country) including Missouri, Michigan and Colorado,” Rand says.
The typical student comes from a variety of backgrounds, both rural and urban. “Some are first-generation college students right out of high school,” she adds. “Others already have a bachelor’s degree.”
Given the current economic climate, the program is appealing to a wide range of students. Some are from family looking for an economical education, while others are coming back to school for retraining after job loss.
Students take classes either on site or online. Those students at North Central Missouri College take core classes at the Trenton campus, but take the alternative energy classes online. Crowder also has cooperative agreements with Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology and Pittsburg State University.
Degree programs are offered in biofuels, solar, wind, and energy efficient building options. These are two-year degree programs. However, the college also offers certifications.
These are 17-hour training certificates that allow students to enter directly into the workforce. Students can obtain certification for employment in biodiesel, bioethanol, biofuels, biogas, solar and wind industry.
Rand says the programs offer students a wide array of job possibilities. The college trains students to work in any facet of the industry that requires a specific alternative energy skill set.
“They can work in construction, installation, production, manufacturing, maintenance or repair,” she says.
With these types of green college degree programs, students might find the road to a new career a little smoother.
-Mindy Ward
