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

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. 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 25 different cities in the following states: Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Virginia College also offers classes online and operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College.  ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

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