Tag Archives: Ecotech

Ecotech Institute Webinar Series Debuts on Tuesday, July 16 With “Bringing the Ecotech Lifestyle to Life”

July 2, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Thought Provoking, 30-Minute Webinar Will Focus on Actionable Ways to Live Sustainably

Denver, Colorado, July 01, 2013 – On Tuesday, July 16, Ecotech Institute will launch a webinar series that explores many facets of green living, including careers, lifestyle choices and a deep dive into solar careers. The first webinar, “Bringing the Ecotech Lifestyle to Life”, will discuss the overall concept of sustainable living and encourage participants to define their own personal sustainability-focused mission, vision and goals. After a fast-paced 30 minutes, attendees will leave with new considerations and approaches on how to live a sustainable lifestyle.

“This lunchtime webinar is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to explore how to live more sustainably through easy and actionable steps,” says Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s Manager of Environmental Operations. “Everyone can do something to make a positive impact on the planet – and we are here to be a catalyst for positive change.”

Webinar Topic:
“Bringing the Ecotech Lifestyle to Life”

Date:
Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Time:
1:00 p.m. Eastern/12:00 p.m. Central
11:00 a.m. Mountain/10:00 a.m. Pacific

Speaker:
Kyle Crider, Manager of Environmental Operations at Ecotech Institute. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree with a double-emphasis in urban planning and policy analysis. He is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND) and an instructor of “Introduction to Sustainability” on Canvas.net.

Upcoming Webinars – Dates to be announced:
What Are Renewable Energy Jobs?
The World of Solar Energy Jobs
Time Management: Finding Life Balance While in School

Ecotech Institute, based in Aurora, Colorado, is the only college entirely focused on training people for jobs in sustainability. Ecotech currently offers the following renewable energy degree programs:

* Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Facility Management Technology, Energy Efficiency Program, Associate of Applied Science

* Electrical Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Power Utility Technician, Associate of Applied Science

* Business Administration – Sustainability, Associate of Applied Science

About Ecotech Institute:
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers six highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.

Contact:
Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
jfoust@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Education

New Data Underscores Need for Ecotech Institute’s Business Administration – Sustainability Program

April 19, 2013 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Ecotech’s Clean Jobs Index Indicates Nearly 60,000 Jobs in March that Require Both Business and Sustainability Knowledge

Denver, Colorado, April 18, 2013 – As more industries develop a commitment to green practices, the number of business-related jobs that require sustainability knowledge are on the rise. According to Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index, there were 59,803 U.S.-based jobs available in March that met the criteria of green jobs within a business environment. Ecotech Institute, a leader in renewable energy and sustainability education, continues to watch this growing trend and aims to fill the gap for qualified candidates with its two-year Business Administration – Sustainability degree program.

“Sustainability-focused careers span the globe and cross many boundaries from public and private sectors to nonprofits, consulting and more,” says Kyle Crider, director of sustainability for Ecotech Institute. “Organizations of all sizes that are looking to lessen their carbon footprint require someone who deeply understands the intersection between business and sustainability.”

Ecotech’s Business Administration – Sustainability program delivers a business education with a distinct focus on sustainability, which makes it easier for people to learn about, define and find sustainable business careers. Career opportunities include positions in management, sales, financial operations, production and many others. Additionally, the curriculum is ideal for people interested in entrepreneurship within the cleantech industry.

“The employee who has a holistic worldview will find more opportunities and have greater creativity, which can lead to an even greater profit potential,” adds Colin Coyne, Managing Principal, The Coyne Group and LEED 2.0 Accredited Professional. “Sustainable thought – properly taught and executed – represents that kind of holistic perspective.”

Ecotech’s business program provides students with knowledge and skills suitable for employment in a broad range of private and public sector organizations. Coursework includes accounting, financial analysis, human resources, project management, communications, customer service, sustainability, renewable energy and workplace ethics. In two years, graduates with a sustainability degree from Ecotech will have an understanding of the cleantech landscape and how sustainability plays a role in today’s businesses environment.

Ecotech Institute is committed to being a foremost expert on jobs in the cleantech economy. As part of that commitment, its “Clean Jobs Index” breaks down clean jobs by state with links to local jobs. To find available positions, Ecotech uses jobs data from Burning Glass International, whose patented job aggregation technology searches for job listings from more than 17,000 sources.

Ecotech Institute initiated and produces the Clean Jobs Index using several independent organizations. The sustainability factors of the Index data are updated on a quarterly and annual basis (depending on when new data is released) and job data is updated monthly as new jobs are posted.

To learn more about the Clean Jobs Index, go to www.ecotechinstitute.com/cleanjobsindex/; visit Ecotech Institute online to learn more about its Business Administration – Sustainability program.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers six highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.

Contact:
Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
jfoust@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Technology

Ecotech Institute Launches Hands-on Power Utility Technician Program

August 31, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Aging Power Utility Workforce Requires New, Savvy Technicians

Denver, Colorado, August 29, 2012 – Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, is now taking applications for its new two-year Power Utility Technician degree program focused on training power utility technicians. The program, which will launch in October, will help fill a need in the power utility sector as a growing number of power utility technicians are retiring from the field and highly trained employees are in demand. Ecotech has responded to this need by creating a practical program focused on the ever-changing power utility industry.

With input from subject matter experts who have more than 55 years of combined utility experience, Ecotech designed its Power Utility Technician program to prepare graduates for careers in power generation, with specialization in power plant operations and maintenance. Students will receive immersive and hands-on training that focuses on providing a solid grounding in, and a comprehensive understanding of, electric utility distribution systems, grid and smart grid.

“We are excited about the applicability and cutting-edge nature of this program and are thankful to industry gurus Dan Sachse and Mark Fox for sharing their expertise,” says Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Demand is at an all-time high for people who understand the grid and the future of power utilities and we look forward to leading the way in preparing students for jobs in this area.”

Upon successful completion of the Power Utility Technician program, students will be prepared to:

* Apply the fundamentals of power generation, so they can operate and maintain power plants

* Use their knowledge of high voltage systems to maintain and operate grid infrastructure, smart grids, and distribution systems

* Use the fundamentals of electrical theory and related knowledge to design, build, repair, calibrate and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls and machinery

* Meet industry standards within the electrical engineering, power production and distribution fields

Ecotech’s comprehensive Power Utility Technician program offers a balanced education of soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), and math and science basics and technology skills, but the educational emphasis is on hands-on, practical training in modern labs.

Ecotech Institute’s website outlines each of its programs to help answer common questions such as, “Is this program right for me?”, “What will I learn?” and “Why Ecotech?” In addition to offering curriculum information, the site explains what to expect from the program, which skill sets are most desirable for this field of study, and what careers are available in cleantech industries.

With the addition of the Power Utility Technician program, Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers six highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

Ecotech’s next round of classes begins in October and applications are always accepted.

In addition to the Power Utility program, Ecotech Institute offers the following:

* Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Energy Efficiency Program, Associate of Applied Science

* Electrical Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

About Ecotech Institute:
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers five associate’s degrees designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.

Media Contacts:
Alicia Hassinger or Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group, on behalf of Ecotech Institute
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com or jfoust@csg-pr.com

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Energy

Ecotech’s “Women in Renewable Energy” Club Mirrors Dept of Labor Push to Get Women into Green Jobs

March 6, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

“Why Green Is Your Color: A Woman’s Guide to a Sustainable Career” Offers Insights for Exploring a Green Career Path

Denver, CO, March 06, 2012 – Historically men have dominated green jobs, yet a new report is trying to shift the tides. The report recently released by the Department of Labor, “Why Green Is Your Color: A Woman’s Guide to a Sustainable Career,” highlights the fact that green jobs tend to be dominated by men, yet opportunities abound for women as well. It has been noticed as well by Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability. In fact, the school held its first “Women in Renewable Energy” (WIRE) meeting on February 16 to bring together women at the campus to share ideas, help each other with classwork and empower one another as they embark on a green career.

Ecotech is seeing increasingly more women interested in the green revolution and it is a trend the Labor Department wants to see continue. The Labor Department states that according to The National Center for O*NET Development, several green occupations are “Bright Outlook” occupations, meaning they are expected to grow rapidly from 2008 – 2018, with a combined increase of 100,000 or more job openings. Some jobs designated as “Bright Outlook” are wind turbine service technicians, solar photovoltaic installers and recycling coordinators.

The impetus for the report was in support of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis’s vision of “Good Jobs for Everyone.” The downloadable green jobs guide is designed to help women learn about the opportunities available in the renewable energy space, which they may not have previously considered. According to the report synopsis, “The guide was created to help women at all stages of their careers — whether they are newly entering the workforce, transitioning to new careers, or returning to the workforce — identify and take advantage of opportunities in the clean energy economy.”

“We are focused on making Ecotech a welcoming environment for women because we know they have a lot to offer in current and emerging green careers,” said Susan Pawlak, Ecotech’s Director of Career Services. “Our Women in Renewable Energy Club is just one way that Ecotech encourages women to make a mark in wind, solar, renewable energy and other industries alongside their male colleagues.”

The club held elections on February 23 and the new leaders are tasked with growing the club’s membership and educating more women about careers in sustainability. Tiffany Burton, an Electrical Engineering Technology instructor, is the academic advisor; Suzanne Colton, Senior Recruiter for NextEra Energy Resources is the industry advisor; and Susan Pawlak, Ecotech’s Director of Career Services, is a general advisor.

Ecotech’s curriculum is built to address both job-specific technical training and soft skills (e.g. communication, work ethic and teamwork), which employers demand, through comprehensive coursework and state-of-the-art labs. The Labor Department report parallels Ecotech’s vision for job training and is chock-full of applicable information that defines what a green career really is, explains why there is a growing need for trained professionals, and outlines what training is necessary.

“We have dynamic, driven women in both leadership and student roles at Ecotech and they send an important message of encouragement that females have a promising future in renewable careers,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute.

To read the full “Why Green Is Your Color: A Woman’s Guide to a Sustainable Career” report click here: http://www.dol.gov/wb/Green_Jobs_Guide/GreenJobs%20Ch%201.pdf.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com/or call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in April and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers seven associate’s degrees and a certificate program designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of almost 20,000 students. The ECA website is ecacolleges.com. In addition to Ecotech Institute, ECA schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in eighteen different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richmond, Virginia; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is vc.edu. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida, and a Military Student Center also in Tampa. Information about online classes at Virginia College is available at www.vconline.edu. Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Golf Academy website is golfacademy.edu.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger or Jenny Foust
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com or jfoust@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Technology

Ecotech Institute’s Student Population Grows Nearly 400 Percent in One Year

January 26, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

With jobs in renewable energy and sustainability on the rise, students from across the country are coming to Ecotech to gain hands-on training

Denver, CO, January 25, 2012 – Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, announced today that its January quarter kicked off with 100 new students, the largest start to date. With total current enrollment at 473 students, Ecotech witnessed a student population increase of almost 400 percent in just one year.

Ecotech Institute started classes in a temporary facility in June 2010 as it completed an overhaul of an existing vacant building. In January 2011, Ecotech’s 119 students began attending school in its LEED gold-certified campus in Aurora, Colorado. Since then, the facility’s offerings, faculty and student enrollment have continually experienced growth and improvement.

This June, the first graduating class of 39 students is expected to receive their degrees and in December 2012, another 50 students are expected to graduate. Of these students, the most popular degrees include Wind Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology.

“We knew we had something special when Ecotech opened its doors, and it’s inspiring to see increasingly more students come from across the country to pursue a degree that can truly make a difference in the world,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “With our first group of graduates in June, we can’t wait to see where they go and to hear their stories of success. This is definitely going to be a big year for us.”

Today, 90 percent of Ecotech’s students are men and 77 percent of the students are from Colorado. However, every day more and more students are moving from other states to pursue a degree at Ecotech, with students from 37 states and Puerto Rico currently represented. The top states from which Ecotech students have relocated include California, New Jersey, Wyoming, Illinois and Texas.

With the growth in students comes a growth in faculty as well. When Ecotech first opened, the school had one program director and two instructors. Ecotech now has three program directors and 24 instructors who teach in 11 hands-on learning labs. Ecotech’s holistic teaching approach gives students a chance to learn first-hand about the technology they will use in the field of their future career. At Ecotech, students also learn soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), math and science basics and technology skills.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in April and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger or Jenny Foust
CSG|PR
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com or jfoust@csg-pr.com

About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of almost 20,000 students. The ECA website is www.ecacolleges.com. In addition to Ecotech Institute, ECA schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in eighteen different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richmond, Virginia; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is www.vc.edu. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida, and a Military Student Center also in Tampa. Information about online classes at Virginia College is available at www.vconline.edu. Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Golf Academy website is www.golfacademy.edu.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
CSG|PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com