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Northland offers renewable energy minor through WITC

August 10, 2009

A Renewable Electricity certificate has been added to Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College's fall 2009 schedule. This certificate is available at WITC's Ashland campus, and provides an individual with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, install and maintain wind and solar (photovoltaic) renewable electrical energy systems. Through a partnership with WITC, students at Northland College will have the option to take the certificate program as a technical minor.

Renewable electricity refers to the generation of electric power by renewable means. Today most electric power is generated by burning non-renewable fossil fuels (primarily coal and oil). Most states have set goals of producing commercial energy from renewable sources such as photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems.

Ted May, Academic Dean at WITC, and Rick Fairbanks from Northland College, have been meeting monthly for more than a year as part of an Ashland-area collaboration of educators. One of the off-shoots of these collaborative meetings is this certificate.

"Renewable energy and sustainability are now imbedded in the recent Strategic Plan brought forth by WITC," May says. "We are committed to both expanding programming in this arena as well as increasing the sustainability of our college operations. Collaborating with our Ashland neighbor a model of sustainability in their mission allows mutual benefits to each of our colleges."

"This program is ideal for Northland," Fairbanks said. "Our students come here for a liberal arts experience, but they also want to get their hands on real work in fields that will impact environmental problems. More and more liberal arts colleges are looking to give this kind of practical 'bottom' to the education they provide. Northland is fortunate to have a partner like WITC that can make this happen for Northland students."

WITC's Renewable Electricity certificate is ideal for individuals who have experience working as an electrical contractor/electrician and desire training with renewable energy systems; have a background in environmental issues and desire to supplement or update their renewable energy skills; or would like to begin work installing or maintaining in the growing fields of wind or solar photovoltaic energy systems.

The first course in the certificate is an Alternative Energy Overview, which will run Monday evenings through the fall semester. For more information or to register within WITC's Renewable Electricity certificate, contact Admissions Advisor, Karen Hoglund, at (715) 682-4591, ext. 3195, or Ted May, at ext. 3252.

WITC serves the educational and career needs of more than 30,000 residents of northwestern Wisconsin each year. As one of four campuses in the district, WITC-Ashland offers career-focused associate degree programs, technical diplomas, customized training, and a wide array of courses for personal or career enrichment. WITC is a member of Wisconsin Technical College System. For more information, call (800) 243-WITC or log onto witc.edu.