Few state economies have suffered as severely as Michigan’s in the last decade.  It’s economy, dependent on manufacturing in general, and the automotive industry specifically, has witnessed massive job losses and declining population base.  But the state is seeking to transform itself and sees renewable energy and sustainability as the engine that will power their economic recovery.  To that end, Michigan’s colleges and universities are offering many new programs in these fields.

The following new “green” educational programs are being offered :

• Cleary University will offer a graduate certificate in green business strategy and a non-credit certificate in principles of green buildings and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in sustainability management online in the fall.

• Davenport University will offer a post-baccalaureate certificate, in the sustainable business development specialty, beginning in the fall semester for students with a Bachelor of Business Administration. The certificate includes international perspectives on operating standards, leadership and social responsibility. The program is available at its Grand Rapids campus and online.

• Lawrence Technological University is launching a  Master of Arts in environmental graphics which will focus on the collective elements of graphic design, architecture and typography within the built environment.

• Macomb Community College is adding a new renewable energy specialty to its construction technology associate degree program in the fall at its Warren campus. Classes will focus on photovoltaic design and installation, renewable energy power systems and energy management fundamentals.

• Marygrove College is offering a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies this fall.

• Oakland Community College will offer  new certificate programs in the fall in alternative thermal energy systems, building air and water balance, mechatronics systems technology
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• University of Michigan-Dearborn will offer a Master of Science in engineering specialized in energy systems.

• Washtenaw Community College will offer a new associate degree programs in environmental science.

• Wayne State University will offer several new programs in the College of Engineering, including a master’s and graduate certificate in electric-drive vehicle engineering, a bachelor’s in electric transportation technology, and graduate certificates in sustainable engineering and engineering management. 
   

UC Irvine Extension is offering a two-week seminar focused on energy, sustainability, planning and environmental management at its campus July 19-30. The program, which was approved by the U.S. Green Building Council, is geared toward professionals who are expanding their training or adapting to new careers in the field. The accelerated seminar offers “an opportunity to understand how to implement sustainable business solutions into daily operations that can help produce bottom-line results and observe real-world business examples in action,” said Kelly Oto, assistant director of professional programs at UCI Extension. She indicated the training would have a “broad and content-rich curriculum covering all topics with diligence.”.

Program Benefits

•Identify practical applications in energy, sustainability, planning, and environmental management.

•Apply integrated sustainable business practices into organizational structure, operations, marketing, and financial strategies, including ethical considerations and sustainability reporting.

•Link competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility for organizational growth and profitability.

•Visit selected organizations in Southern California who are successfully integrating innovative sustainable strategies into their daily operations.

Sample Topics

•Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

•Globalization: Regional Development and the World Economy.

•Global Business Practices in Sustainability.

•Renewable Energy Technologies.

•Environmental Law from U.S. and Global Perspectives.

•Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Strategies.

•Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

•Organizational Change for Sustainability.

•Integrating a Green Business Strategy.

•Ethical Dimensions of Sustainability.

•Green Marketing Principles

A certificate of completion will be awarded after the successful completion of this two-week program.  Tuition is $ 2,195, so this program is no doubt targeted at individuals who’s companies will pick up the tabe.

Through its Leicester City Campus in the United Kingdom (UK), De Montfort University offers distance learning based Graduate programs in Environmental Quality Management.  International, as well as resident UK, students can obtain a Master of Science, Post Graduate Diploma or Post Graduate Certificate in this area, drawing from study modules of interest in Air, Water, Waste, IPPC, H&S and EMS streams.

Prior to 1992, De Montfort University was known as Leicester Polytechnic which was created in 1969 through the amalgamation of Leicester College of Technology and Leicester College of Art. The polytechnic was established as a corporation in 1989.

In 1992, following the official opening of the Milton Keynes campus by HM the Queen, De Montfort University was born, named after Simon De Montfort, Earl of Leicester who is widely credited with establishing the first parliament in England, in 1265. Today, De Montfort University has two campuses, Leicester City Campus and Charles Frears.  The University has special arrangements with more than 80 universities and colleges in over 25 countries. It has approximately 20,500 students, 3,240 staff, and an annual turnover in the region of £132.5 million.

The Environmental Quality Management course is taught via distance learning, offering an excellent learning opportunity for students around the world.  Students may choose to study modules relevant to their careers, from Air, Water, Waste, IPPC, H&S and EMS streams, culminating with the completion of a dissertation for the Masters degree.

Due to the flexibility and variety of this course, practitioners are attracted from industry and regulatory authorities.  Graduates typically hold roles such as Environmental Manager, Strategic Environmental Planning Officer, Environmental Protection Officer, Waste Management Consultant, Production Services Engineer, Senior Environment Officer, Pollution Control Technician, Scientific Office, Water Quality Regulatory Officer, Waste Management Officer and many more.

The course is designed to be attractive to students from diverse backgrounds including mature learners who have been out of education for some time, and those who have recently graduated with a first degree. For those wishing to increase their employability in the sector by studying for a recognized qualification, the course is ideally suited. The modules are completed by distance learning with tutor support, allowing students to work and study at the same time. This course looks at techniques suitable for a temperate climate and whilst European Union (EU) Directives are discussed, the course then focuses on how the law has been implemented in the UK.

This flexible distance learning course is designed to meet the needs of practitioners within the environmental sector who wish to achieve an MSc. Students will study specially written distance learning materials supported by tutors with real world practical experience. Students study two modules from six (Air, Water, Waste, IPPC, EMS and H&S) to complete the Postgraduate Certificate and four for the Postgraduate Diploma. A 60 credit dissertation must also be completed for the award of MSc.

The course is continuous and modules commence three times a year (October, February and June).  Each student receives materials on CD-ROM and via Blackboard (a virtual learning environment). The course operates on a rolling, modular basis and you join when a new module commences. Students are encouraged to attend an induction session at the start of the overall course, allowing them to meet key members of academic and administrative staff, and to familiarize themselves with studying by distance learning.  Students are then supported through personal tuition with optional day tutorials.

Each module is based on a 15 week study timetable, although you can extend the study block to allow flexibility within a fixed framework. There are optional day tutorials for the Air, Water, Waste and IPPC modules. The Certificate/Diploma includes assessment through completion of post tests and assignments at the end of each module. The MSc level is assessed via a 20,000 word dissertation.

The fees are £4,200 (overseas students) £350 per 15 credit module 2009/10 fee subject to change in 2010/11. All overseas-status students who pay their fees in full at the beginning of the year will receive an early payment discount of £500.  If you are an overseas-status student , you will be asked to pay £3,000 towards your tuition fees in advance when you accept your unconditional offer of a place at DMU. This will support your visa application (if required) by demonstrating that you are committed to studying at the University.

The University offers an unlimited number of £500 scholarships towards the tuition fees of overseas students wishing to study a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree starting in 2010 (subject to meeting criteria. There are also an unlimited number of £500 awards for DMU graduates who wish to return to DMU to study a full-time Master’s or PhD degree starting in 2010.

For more information on the program or De Montfort University, please visit www.dmu.ac.uk

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis yesterday announced nearly $190 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants are designed to teach workers the skills required in emerging industries, including energy efficiency and renewable energy. This set of green grants is the third awarded in as many weeks by the U.S. Department of Labor. Less than a month into 2010, the department’s investment in this growing area of the job marketplace is close to the $440 million mark.

“These grants will help workers gain access to good jobs, while supporting the sort of statewide energy efficiency strategies that play a crucial role in building the green economy of the 21st century,” said Secretary Solis.

Thirty-four awards ranging from approximately $2 million to $6 million each are being made to state workforce investment boards in partnership with their state workforce agencies, local workforce investment boards or regional consortia of boards, and One-Stop Career Center delivery systems. Through the grant awards announced today, program participants will receive the technical and occupational skills necessary to obtain industry recognized credentials.

These grants are designed to achieve the following goals:

Create an integrated system of education, training and supportive services that promotes skill attainment and career pathway development for low-income, low- skilled workers leading to employment in green industries.

Support states in implementing a statewide energy sector strategy including governors’ overall workforce visions, state energy policies and training activities that lead to employment in targeted industry sectors.

Build and strengthen partnerships dedicated to building a skilled clean energy workforce.

Develop new partnerships with other agencies receiving Recovery Act funds to support strategic planning and implementation efforts.

To find out more about job training opportunities available through the Department of Labor, call the National Contact Center’s toll-free helpline at: 866-4-USA-DOL (487-2365) or TTY 877-889-5627

Today’s grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative — totaling $500 million — to fund workforce development projects that promote economic growth by preparing workers for careers in the energy efficiency industries. For a full listing of the grants and project descriptions, visit http://www.doleta.gov/pdf/SESP_Summaries.pdf. To view a video by Secretary Solis, visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/energysector/.

Recently the U.S. Secretary of Labor announced nearly $55 million in green jobs grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will support job training and labor market information programs to help workers, many in underserved communities, find jobs in expanding green industries and related occupations.

“Today’s announcement is part of the administration’s long-term commitment to fostering both immediate economic growth and a clean energy future. It’s an investment that will help American workers do well while doing good,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “These grants provide an immediate return, and they are part of a larger green initiative that will help lead to increased job placements and promote economic growth.”

The two categories of grant awards announced today are: State Labor Market Information Improvement Grants and Green Capacity Building Grants. Both will be administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

Green Capacity Building Grants, totaling $5.8 million, will increase the training capacity of 62 current Labor Department grant recipients through a variety of strategies, and will offer training opportunities to help individuals acquire jobs in expanding green industries. These grants will help serve underserved communities. Targeted communities include American Indians, women, at-risk youth and farm workers.

State Labor Market Information Improvement Grants, totaling $48.8 million, will support the collection and dissemination of labor market information, and will enhance the labor exchange infrastructure to provide career opportunities within clean energy industries. Grantees will be able to employ strategies that enable job seekers to connect with green job banks and help ensure that workers find employment after completing training. Thirty awards ranging from about $763,000 to $4 million were made to state workforce agencies to utilize data for workforce development strategies. Multiple state workforce agencies partnering as a consortium will use this program to gather information that is likely to have a regional, multi-state or national impact.

The grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative — totaling $500 million — for green jobs training grants designed to promote economic growth. The Department of Labor expects to release funding for an additional three green grant award categories over the next several months.