Wednesday, Sep. 01, 2010

Wake Tech to lead green initiative

Wake Technical Community College has been selected to lead a statewide overhaul of community college programs that aim to improve training in emerging green technologies.

The project will focus on five areas: building, energy, transportation environment and engineering technology. Each project team will work to revise existing programs and add new training components.

"Environmental responsibility is spreading from the cars we drive and the homes we build to every aspect of our lives," said Wake Tech Dean Robert "Butch" Grove, who will manage the project.

Like other states, North Carolina's economy has shifted to include more sustainable products, practices, and technologies.

Job and career opportunities abound in areas such as mass transit, wind and solar power exploration, and construction retrofitting for greater energy efficiency, but training must be top quality and up to date.

The State Board of Community Colleges approved funding for the curriculum improvement project in May and made Wake Tech the lead college for the project.

Wake Tech automotive instructor Rich Cregar will serve as co-director for transportation. All North Carolina community colleges are eligible to participate.