The Connecticut Technical High School System, in partnership with Energize Connecticut, recently announced the opening of the state’s second E-House at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington. Considered the nation’s first high-school laboratories for learning “green” construction, the E-House initiative provides a clean energy and energy efficiency curriculum for the schools’ architectural, carpentry, electrical and plumbing faculty and students.
Designed and built by students and faculty, each E-House incorporates solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, weatherization and energy efficiency labs in the design of the project. The E-House initiative gives students the opportunity to conduct hands-on field work and earn professional certifications in these various labs, preparing them for a “green” career after graduation.
“In Connecticut, and across the country, we are seeing a huge push toward energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy, not just as a way to save money and help the environment, but also to spur job creation and help the economy,” Connecticut Technical High School System Superintendent Patricia Ciccone said. “As we look to build an active green workforce for Connecticut, we are leading the way nationally by implementing the E-House program at our technical high schools across the state. We are helping our students graduate with the necessary skills to pursue careers that support energy efficiency and renewable energy, and help our state overall.”
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The state’s first E-House was opened in September 2011 at E.C. Goodwin Technical High School in New Britain. The E-House initiative is funded through Energize Connecticut – a partnership of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) and local electric and gas utilities, with the goal of an E-House at each of the state’s 17 technical high schools by the end of 2015.
Over 100 guests attended Tuesday’s ceremony, including Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Dan Esty, and Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Sharon Palmer, who were on-hand to announce the results of the state’s first official Green Jobs Workforce report.
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“The number of green job opportunities in Connecticut is growing, and the hands-on training offered by Connecticut’s technical schools will prepare our young people to fill them,” said Commissioner Esty. “A recent Green Jobs Report for our state showed just how green jobs career possibilities are expanding. In addition, there will be new green jobs created by the state’s focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and a 21st century management of our solid waste stream.”
Regional Plan Association prepared the report for the Connecticut Department of Labor, Office of Workforce Competitiveness and the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission’s Green Jobs Partnership committee to assess the green jobs landscape in Connecticut and propose recommendations to develop a skilled workforce to meet anticipated job demands. A few areas that may soon see either expanded state support or market-based growth include waste management, energy efficiency, infrastructure supporting electric vehicles, and conversion of oil and coal burning facilities to less expensive natural gas fuel.
These “green” jobs will require a skilled workforce. The report estimated that by 2018, one-quarter of jobs will require Associate degrees or higher and 34% of “green” jobs will require on-the-job training.
“This E-House, as well as our new Green Jobs Report will both serve as excellent resources for our students, the environment, and Connecticut’s overall economy,” noted Commissioner Palmer. “Although we will continue to build upon this initial report, already it can be used to help develop effective educational curriculums to better prepare our students for in-demand careers in green industries.”
For more information on the E-House program, please visit www.cttech.org/central/main-news/Eco-Houses/index.html. For more information on the Green Jobs Workforce report, please visit www.ctdol.state.ct.us/OWC/CETC/Committees/GreenJobs/reports.htm.
About Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS)
For over 100 years, CTHSS has provided a unique and rigorous high school learning environment for its students that (1) ensures both student academic success and trade/technology mastery; (2) prepares students for post-secondary education, including apprenticeships and immediate productive employment; and (3) responds to employers’ and industries’ current and emerging global workforce needs and expectations through business/school partnerships. For more information on CTHSS, please visit: www.cttech.org.
About Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut programs help you save money and use clean, affordable energy. The programs are a partnership of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, and your local electric and gas utilities and are funded by a charge on customer energy bills.
Information on energy–saving programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.
About Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state.
DEEP was established on July 1, 2011 with the consolidation of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Public Utility Control, and energy policy staff from other areas of state government. The environmental protection agency had been established in 1971 at the dawn of the environmental movement, while the public utilities regulatory authority traces its roots back more than 150 years to the state’s Railroad Commission.
For more information visit: www.ct.gov/deep.
About Connecticut Department of Labor
The Connecticut Department of Labor Department’s goal is to provide the state’s business community and jobseekers with quality services that ultimately strengthen the state’s workforce and economy. The agency takes a comprehensive approach to meeting the state’s workforce needs though employment services, payment of unemployment insurance, online web services, Labor Market Information and regulatory guidance and enforcement regarding employment laws and safety in the workplace. Visit the agency at www.ct.gov/dol.
