HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s community college, has taken the lead role in training Central Pennsylvania’s green workforce over the past year. Through a combination of grants and private funding, HACC has helped workers obtain certification through the North American Board of Certified Energy Providers to become solar PV (photovoltaic) level 1 installers, as well as the Building Performance Institute’s building analyst/energy auditor certificate. To date, 170 students have successfully completed the solar PV program at HACC. Of these, a large percentage have gained employment, retained employment by advancing their skills, or continued to further their education.

HACC is also applying a two-year training grant to train environmental technicians. This 320-hour program is designed to train technicians for jobs in the cleanup and reuse of brownfield (i.e., abandoned industrial) sites. Along with workforce training programs, the college has started two green-focused associate degree programs: Alternative Energy and Environmental Specialist, with a sustainable resources concentration.

HACC works closely with area businesses and other educational institutions to develop career paths and stackable credentials that provide students with many options to advance. In addition, HACC is committed to serving the needs of the area’s workforce and takes a leading role in assuring that local green industries have a skilled, highly trained workforce.

For more information, visit HACC.edu.