St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron will offer three new associate degree programs in alternative energy beginning this fall.

Students interested in a career in alternative energy can take classes that will lead to in-demand jobs with high wage potential in fields such as green building, facility and energy management, and renewable energy.

Students will take general education and technical courses during their first-year, before branching into their area of interest. Energy conservation and efficiency is an integrated part of the curriculum.

The degrees were developed thanks to $380,300 in federal funding. U.S Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, helped to secure the funding for SC4 in 2009.

The degrees build on the college’s one-year alternative energy technology certificate, which is designed to give students a quick start in the field.

The new programs are:

• Associate in applied arts and science degree in alternative energy – architectural design/green building — This program prepares students to work as an architectural draftsperson or junior designer who also can assist engineers and supervisors in developing green building designs.
• Associate in applied arts and science degree in alternative energy – facility and energy management — This program prepares students to work in the growing field of facility and energy management in a variety of industries. Facility managers are responsible for the total facility work environment from chairs to air quality. This program is an update of SC4’s previous associate degree program in facility and energy management.
• Associate in applied arts and science degree in alternative energy – renewable and alternative energy technology — This program prepares students to work as a renewable energy technician installing, servicing, modifying, troubleshooting and designing wind power systems, solar domestic hot water and space heating systems, and solar electric systems for the growing residential and small business markets.

Registration is open for fall semester classes that begin Aug. 23. To register, visit www.sc4.edu/wave or call (810) 989-5500. For program details, call the SC4 Engineering Technology Department at (810) 989-5754 or visit www.sc4.edu/energy.

SC4’s overall alternative energy project also was funded in part by a grant awarded under the Community Based Job Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.