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A $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation will help Cerro Coso Community College build the
first state-approved program in renewable energy education.
Administrators have known for months they were in the final stages of consideration for the greater share
of a $3-million grant awarded to a consortium of colleges.
In a recent interview with the News Review, CCCC President Jill Board and Vice President of Academic
Affairs Jim Fay ex-pressed their excitement in receiving such a significant boost to their program, which
provides training that is highly in demand in the fast-growing industry.
first state-approved program in renewable energy education.
Administrators have known for months they were in the final stages of consideration for the greater share
of a $3-million grant awarded to a consortium of colleges.
In a recent interview with the News Review, CCCC President Jill Board and Vice President of Academic
Affairs Jim Fay ex-pressed their excitement in receiving such a significant boost to their program, which
provides training that is highly in demand in the fast-growing industry.
Board said the institution’s ability to land the funding could partly be attributed to the successful program
already in place at Cerro Coso. But she pointed out that because the community college’s service area has
been identified as a prime location for both solar- and wind-energy generation, Cerro Coso is perfectly
situated to provide such training.
The grant will go toward funding a four-year expansion of the existing energy training programs.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to meet the increased need for skilled workers in an industry that offers
students interesting career options,” said Valerie Karnes, director of career technical education. “This
program is good for the students, it’s good for the environment and it’s good for the economy.”
The program will be crafted so that locally trained students can apply their knowledge anywhere, said
Board. “This industry is constantly changing. We want to develop standards so that you could get a degree
here but work in, say, Montana if you needed to.”
But even with that standard in mind, “We are still committed to teaching to the needs of the business and
industry in our district.”
Of primary importance are the needs of China Lake, she said. “Whatever we do, I want to ensure that we
are lockstep in line with the mission of the base.”
As a result of the grant, the college will partner with the California Regional Consortium for Engineering
Advances in Technological Education, a group focused on fostering renewable energy training programs in
the state.
“Cerro Coso Community College is committed to providing students with meaningful learning
environments that maximize their potentials,” said Board. “Partnering with other educational institutions
allows us to share experiences, vision, knowledge, talent and resources that add exceptional value in
developing programs that produce top performers.
“We are very excited about the impact this project will have on our students, communities and
environment.”
already in place at Cerro Coso. But she pointed out that because the community college’s service area has
been identified as a prime location for both solar- and wind-energy generation, Cerro Coso is perfectly
situated to provide such training.
The grant will go toward funding a four-year expansion of the existing energy training programs.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to meet the increased need for skilled workers in an industry that offers
students interesting career options,” said Valerie Karnes, director of career technical education. “This
program is good for the students, it’s good for the environment and it’s good for the economy.”
The program will be crafted so that locally trained students can apply their knowledge anywhere, said
Board. “This industry is constantly changing. We want to develop standards so that you could get a degree
here but work in, say, Montana if you needed to.”
But even with that standard in mind, “We are still committed to teaching to the needs of the business and
industry in our district.”
Of primary importance are the needs of China Lake, she said. “Whatever we do, I want to ensure that we
are lockstep in line with the mission of the base.”
As a result of the grant, the college will partner with the California Regional Consortium for Engineering
Advances in Technological Education, a group focused on fostering renewable energy training programs in
the state.
“Cerro Coso Community College is committed to providing students with meaningful learning
environments that maximize their potentials,” said Board. “Partnering with other educational institutions
allows us to share experiences, vision, knowledge, talent and resources that add exceptional value in
developing programs that produce top performers.
“We are very excited about the impact this project will have on our students, communities and
environment.”
College gets $700K for energy education
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
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