Alternative Energy Demands Skilled Workers

BYLINE: Job Matters CARLA GONZALES For the Journal

As alternative energy becomes more mainstream, the need for trained service people is becoming more apparent. At a recent career fair sponsored by the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Higher Education/Talent Search Program, approximately 160 students from four local high schools got a small taste of some of the education necessary to secure an entry-level position in the field.

Randy Sadewic of Positive Energy Inc. and Ben Luce, chairman of the Coalition for Affordable Energy and vicechair of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association, were on hand to share with students information about advances in new energy development and the need to prepare a work force that can build, maintain and repair photovoltaic systems.

Photovoltaic systems design is a specialized area of study focusing on solar, wind and fuel cell energy production. The science behind this field differs from the more traditional technical courses in an electrician apprentice training. The coursework necessary to build and maintain the systems is emerging. As more and more people turn to alternative energy sources, more service technicians will be required to respond to maintain these systems.

According to Tom Munson, who runs the Renewable Energy Program at San Juan College in Farmington, the renewable energy industry is growing at a rate of 30 percent per year nationwide. San Juan College offers a two-year associate degree or a one-year certification photovoltaic systems design. The certificate is recommended for those who already have a college degree or who are working in the field and have the basic knowledge of solar energy design.

"Most of the work currently, however, is out of state in places such as Colorado, although there are employment opportunities in this field in Albuquerque and Santa Fe," says Munson. He says that as Gov. Bill Richardson's policy on renewable energy takes hold along with the incentives to convert to renewable energy offered by Public Service Co. of New Mexico, jobs here in New Mexico could take hold in rural areas such as Farmington. Over the last seven years, the courses at San Juan College have been filled to capacity and most of the graduates have been able to find work in the field - provided they are willing to relocate.

Sadewic, a graduate of the San Juan College himself, told students to look at careers in terms of future design and development within the industry. He brought along the new LCD solar-powered flashlights and the new longerlasting light bulbs as examples. While he explained they may cost more at the initial purchase, people save money buying them because they last so much longer, use less energy and are more environmentally friendly.

And he pointed out that no one wants a fancy, environmentally friendly device that is impossible to get serviced or repaired. Creating an industry-ready workforce will go a long way in making renewable energy alternatives a practical reality, he said.