Alternate energy experts are in great demand
Published Saturday January 31st, 2009
Course filling up for September kick-off
The New Brunswick Community College is placing students ahead of the technological curve with their relatively new Alternate Energy Systems course, part of their Electrical Engineering Technology program.
Alternative energy sources ranging from wind power to exchangers are by far the fastest growing aspects of the energy industry in this province and beyond, and graduates will be in hot demand by companies that already exist and are being set up to meet the demands of the industry.
"You could end up working for consulting firms, utilities even different departments of government," says instructor Daniel Hebert of NBCC Moncton, where the course, the only one of its kind on the east coast, is offered.
"Those who are entrepreneurial minded could even start their own business," Hebert says.
Applications are being accepted now for the class starting in September.
One has only to look to the wind-power development in the Kent Hills of Albert County to see the growth in alternative energy sources in New Brunswick in only the past few years. Department stores routinely sell photo-voltaic cells allowing homeowners to harness the power of the sun, and while the NBCC course goes far, far beyond inexpensive little sun-powered battery chargers, it does demonstrate how alternative energy sources have captured the public's eye.
Sales of heat exchangers and in-floor heating systems, for example, have never been stronger.
"The goal of the course is to give a nice broad view of the alternative energy technologies that are out there with the view of producing clean energy," Hebert says.
Some students go on to study further in very focused and specialized areas of alternative energy.
An alternate energy engineering technologist provides technical support and services in the design, development, testing, production and operation of alternative energy systems. The first year of training covers the fundamentals of electrical engineering technology and is common to other electrical engineering technology options in the NBCC system. In the second and final year, you specialize in courses related to the production, distribution and installation of electrical energy, with emphasis on sources of sustainable energy such as wind, solar and geoexchange.
Areas of study include motors, generators, control systems, energy storage, computers and software, as well as the supporting sciences for the technologies, and the efficient use of energy. A senior project relates to renewable energy systems at either the production or installation phase. Students are encouraged to work with local businesses and individuals in conjunction with this project.
The complete training program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the energy sector or other industrial settings. Graduates are eligible to be certified by the New Brunswick Society of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, which is the province's independent certifying body for engineering/applied science technicians and technologists.
Students must have a high school diploma or adult high school diploma or GED, as well as Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 112 and Functions and Relations 112, plus at least one additional science from either Biology 122, Chemistry 112 or 122 and Physics 112 or 122.
"You really should definitely have strong math and science skills and good analytical skills as well," Hebert says.
Written and oral communication skills are also critical.
Contact NBCC Moncton to enrol or find out more information. View their web site at www.nbcc.ca. Visit them in person at 1234 Mountain Rd., or call them at 856-2220 or 1-888-664-1477.
Disabled
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
Comments (2)
All comments are subject to the site Terms of Use. For a full commenting tutorial click here.
Our editorial team relies on filtering technology and our visitor community to identify inappropriate comments. In the event that a site user has submitted offensive content that has evaded our filter, please select the option to Flag As Inappropriate presented within the comment. Thank you for helping to keep this site clean.