ALBANY, NY -- (09/21/2006; 1147)(EIS) -- The first national conference on workforce education for the renewable energy and energy efficiency trades and industries will be held at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York on November 8, 9 and 10, 2006. The conference is sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The event is an opportunity for educational providers and faculty at Technical High Schools, Community Colleges, 4-Year Schools and other training programs to learn about best practices and effective approaches to teaching renewable energy and energy efficiency workforce skills.

To download the Conference Registration Brochure, please visit www.irecusa.org.

Sessions will deal with critical workforce topics such as jobs and how to prepare for workforce needs; how to create a Vocational High School Trade Program to Community College to 4-Year College articulation agreements; model solar energy, wind energy, energy efficiency, geothermal curricula and programs; and how to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy into other trades on campus. Other important areas will be covered including industry-based task analysis certification and training standards; establishing successful business and industry advisory committees; conducting local job market assessments; and creating hands-on renewable energy laboratories.

This is a two-day conference that will be followed by a third day of optional workshops focusing on such topics as Photovoltaics, Wind Energy Systems, Solar Thermal, Energy Audits, and Course Development.

On Wednesday, November 8, Michael Eckhart, President of the American Council on Renewable Energy, will open the conference with the plenary discussion on the growth of renewable energy global markets.

Other speakers include representatives from Lane Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Madison Area Technical College, Hudson Valley Community College, North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University, Iowa Lakes Community College, Lakeshore Technical College, Laney College, Bronx Community College, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School and New York BOCES.

Attendees will also hear from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority representatives, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, the Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center, the Renewable Energy Policy Project, the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, the Building Performance Institute, Solar Energy International, Midwest Renewable Energy Association, the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, the United States Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Dr. Christine Niero, Professional Testing, Inc. and Dr. Jerry Ventre, formerly of the Florida Solar Energy Center, will also give keynote speeches on the importance of quality assessment for professionals, products and training.

The conference is organized by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education, and Hudson Valley Community College.

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.hvcc.edu/energyconference. Space is limited to 200 attendees. Early registration is encouraged.