MCA Chicago works to build green awareness among member contractors and end-users alike. The effectiveness of a green building depends on its mechanical systems, so MCA keeps contractor members up-to-date with the latest technology through education programs, newsletters and regular meetings featuring speakers who are experts in the field of green building.

MCA’s own building was built to meet the LEED Gold standard, utilizing recycled materials, high-efficiency lighting, low emitting materials and many other green features. All indicators point to one conclusion: eventually, green building will be considered a necessity, not an option. MCA is laying down the groundwork, to help Chicagoland and the rest of America to meet that challenge.

The current list of FREE online courses offered by the institute is as follows:

• NEW! Water Efficiency and How It Relates to Green Building
• Going Green – Valuable Opportunities for Mechanical Contractors
• Green building: LEED certification “So You Want to be a Green Contractor”
• Green building: LEED certification and sustainable design

The MCA should be applauded for their vision and will hopefully provide a model for other cities and organizations.  For more information, please visit their website.

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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

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Through the Energy Training Partnership Grants being administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, 25 projects ranging from approximately $1.4 to $5 million each will receive grants. These grants are built on strategic partnerships — requiring labor and business to work together.

“Today’s announcement is part of the administration’s long-term commitment to fostering both immediate economic revitalization and a clean energy future. It’s an investment that will help American workers succeed while doing good,” said Secretary Solis. “Our outstanding award recipients were selected because their proposed projects will connect workers to career pathways in green industries and occupations through critical, diverse partnerships.”

Training activities funded through this grant program will be individually tailored based on occupations and skills identified as in demand in local areas around the country. Training programs will seek to prepare workers for a range of careers including: hybrid/electric auto technicians, weatherization specialists, wind and energy auditors, and solar panel installers.

Grant recipients are expected to work in conjunction with a diverse range of partners, including labor organizations, employers and workforce investment boards. Bringing together the workforce expertise of these groups will allow grantees to develop programs that are responsive to the needs of both workers and employers, and that provide participants with the support needed to successfully complete training. The grantees will utilize these partnerships to design and distribute training approaches that lead to portable industry credentials and employment, including career opportunities in registered apprenticeship programs.

These 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 and renewable energy industries. The Department of Labor expects to release funding for two remaining green grant award categories over the next several weeks.

For a full listing and project description of each grant recipient, visit http://www.doleta.gov. To view a video or listen to radio actualities (in English and Spanish) with introductions to the green jobs training grants by Secretary Solis, visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/grants.

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