At a glance
Alfred State College (ASC), seven partners including six NYS community colleges, and the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC) - Empire State Chapter - have formed SUNYGREENSNY. This initiative grew out of the efforts and recommendations of NYS Gov. David Paterson's Renewable Energy Task Force. As a result, SUNYGREENSNY has been awarded a $2M grant from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) to develop clean energy technology training across the state.
Alfred State College (ASC), seven partners including six NYS community colleges, and the Association of Builders and Contractors (ABC) - Empire State Chapter - have formed SUNYGREENSNY. This initiative grew out of the efforts and recommendations of NYS Gov. David Paterson's Renewable Energy Task Force. As a result, SUNYGREENSNY has been awarded a $2M grant from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) to develop clean energy technology training across the state. The grant will focus on workforce education in the area of emerging clean energy technologies, including photovoltaic (PV), wind (both wholesale and customer-sited), solar thermal, and geothermal. The consortium goals will focus on enhancing building capacity in the state by developing laboratories and faculty expertise to conduct training in these clean energy technologies.
"Not only are we pleased to partner with fellow SUNY colleges and the Association of Builders and Contractors on this exciting project, but the SUNYGREENSNY initiative serves Alfred State College's Strategic Plan by supporting sustainability as well as providing a well-trained workforce," said Dr. John M. Anderson, president, Alfred State College.
The community colleges, all part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system--Sullivan County Community College, Dutchess Community College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Westchester Community College, and Broome Community College--have the expertise and necessary related curriculums of architecture technology, construction technology, building construction (carpentry), masonry, electrician, electrical technology, engineering science, mechanical technology, and HVAC technician. The grant will enhance all of these programs by integrating clean energy technology using current faculty expertise in such areas as design, construction, installation, instrumentation, and maintenance.
Although Alfred State College will serve as the lead college of SUNYGREENSNY, all colleges and the ABC are considered full partners. Forming SUNYGREENSNY was supported by Denise Bukovan, assistant vice chancellor, SUNY, and Dennis Golladay, vice chancellor for community colleges, SUNY, who says, "This project represents an enormous opportunity for our colleges to better serve the growing needs for worker skills in energy-related fields. We are pleased with the work of this consortium."
The programs and delivery developed under this grant will have consistent learning outcomes throughout the consortium. SUNYGREENSNY includes Master Trainer Roy Butler (Four Winds), serving as the lead technical expert on certification and working with the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). He will work with the other technical instructors to obtain their certification with the long-term goal being a number of master trainers available in the state.
SUNYGREENSNY partners will develop modules for credit courses in existing programs, develop a plan for curriculum modules that meet NYSERDA program requirements, and stay aligned with applicable national standards. The modules will include the learning outcomes as defined by the appropriate certification body such as NABCEP, ISP (Institute for Sustainable Power) and IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council). The Consortium will develop modules that can be integrated into existing programs at all the colleges and the ABC apprenticeship program. These same modules will be the foundation for stand-alone courses for professional development and certification programming as continuing education.
Primary administrator for the project is Craig R. Clark, PE, Dean of the School of Applied Technology, Alfred State College, who will manage the overall strategies and guide the direction of the work; Tom Murphy, ASC, project director, who will oversee the day-to-day activities of the project, provide technical guidance, and develop strategy to finish tasks, including monitoring both timeline and budget for progress; and Butler, who will be responsible for overall technical programming overview and assistance in certification process for individuals and programs. Site coordinators at each institution are responsible for technical compliance at his/her institution, including monitoring budget and timeline: Michael Fisher, Sullivan County Community College; Daniel Barbuto, Dutchess Community College; Martha Hubbard, Tompkins Cortland Community College; Ricardo Rosero, Mohawk Valley Community College; Richard VanInwegen, Westchester Community College; Virginia Stoeffel, Broome Community College; Jeffrey Stevens, Alfred State College; and Penelope Hazer, Associated Builders and Contractors.