UC Energy Conference Points Way to Energy Careers, Job Seekers Welcome

A new kind of energy crisis is coming – one where the energy industry locally, regionally and nationally will need large numbers of workers.

This coming demand for manpower in the energy industry – and the pathways workers can take in order to enter the industry – will be part of an all-day Energy Conference from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.,

Thursday, May 7, 2009

, at the Duke Energy Center, 525 Elm St.,  downtown. The event is sponsored by the University of Cincinnati but includes information about training pathways into the energy industry via both UC and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

• Check out the energy-related projects that will be on display in tandem with the energy conference, including a 2,000 miles-per-gallon car.

• Read the latest stats on energy industry workforce needs.

The specific presentations regarding training pathways to enter the energy industry are

free for any displaced, laid-off or out-of-work individual

. The sessions are

Green Jobs Impact, 10-10:50 a.m.

A review of Ohio Initiatives to support the growth and development of green jobs in Ohio, led by Cheryl Brueggeman, assistant dean of the Professional Development Center at UC’s Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash.

Training and Development in Energy, 11:10 a.m.-noon

A review of the certificate and degree programs available regionally to train for careers in the energy industry by Ray Miller, UC utilities superintendent, and Larry Feist, CSCTC program chairman of the energy efficiency and renewable energy program. These include

• UC’s Power Systems Technology Program, a two-year degree where grads can earn $75,000 or more with overtime.

• UC’s Certificate in Power Systems Technology, a four-course program to train entry-level works for local utilities with a starting pay range of $20 to $22 per hour.

• UC’s Stationary Engineering Certificate, a four-course program to prepare workers for Ohio’s Boiler Operator and Stationary Steam Engineer licensing exam. Stationary engineers in power plants earn about $18 per hour.

• UC’s Journeyman Electrician Certificate, a four-course program to train provide training for performing electrical work at utility substations, on smart grids or with solar photovoltaic installations. Pay is usually in the $20 per hour range.

• UC’s Master Electrician Certificate, a four-course program to train electricians to perform work on high-voltage equipment and for supervisor duties. Pay is usually in the $22 per hour range.

• CSCTC’s Photovoltaic Installer Program

• CSCTC’s EMT Renewable Energy Program

• CSCTIC’s EMT Renewable Energy Certificate
  

Career Paths in Energy, 2-2:50 p.m.

A real-world discussion of career paths that will be opening up in the energy industry by representatives from Duke Energy and General Electric, as well as Cheryl Brueggeman, assistant dean of the Professional Development Center at UC’s Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash.

Anyone interested attending the May 7 energy conference or interested in training for an energy-industry career but unable to attend the May 7 presentations can contact

• Ray Miller, UC’s utilities superintendent, raymond.miller@uc.edu, 513-556-0252.

• Larry Feist, CSCTC program chairman of the energy efficiency and renewable energy program, larry.feist@cincinnatistate.edu, 513-569-1428.

• See full details on the May 7 energy conference.

• Apply to UC’s College of Applied Science.

• Get the latest news from UC.