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Sun brings students to Milton Center
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November 23, 2009
ALPHARETTA – A solar course that filled up even before any marketing could be done is a key step in the Lanier Technical College's plan to expand its presence in North Fulton.
Russell Vandiver of Lanier Tech said his boss, college President Mike Moye, told him to get this program up and running.
"We started the process about two years ago, Vandiver said.
Original plans were for an accredited course. However, Lanier Tech is in the midst of its accreditation process, which freezes the course offerings to what already is being offered.
"We are going to run it as an economic development program, non-credit," he said. "What has been the surprise of this deal is just the unbelievable response we've got. [With] almost no marketing, I've got a full class starting Jan. 7 at 25 people at $1,000 a piece."
Vandiver said the school has entered into a partnership with Fulton County Schools and the Milton Center to lease space for the class.
The program will be run two nights a week. It will be a knowledge- and theory-based course involving photovoltaic solar power. Students won't learn how to install solar systems in this first course. It will teach them the principles involved, using demonstration materials and even some donated solar equipment.
"The big point is we are wanting to establish a presence, a strong presence in North Fulton, and this is our first real step to do that," Vandiver said.
Other programs will follow, with plans to eventually offer credit programs at Milton Center.
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"As President of United Renewable Energy, LLC, one of the few experienced certified solar electric providers in the State of Georgia, I have a vested interest in ensuring that the industry develops highly trained professional installers. North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Certified Solar Phototvoltaic(PV) installers help ensure quality solar products are delivered and customers are satisfied. High quality standards help the industry grow.
"Lanier Technical College has taken a leadership role by making quality solar PV training for novice and experienced installers seeking NABCEP entry level certification available in Georgia for the first time. I am thrilled to be teaching the course that will help produce qualified solar installers in Georgia. Quality installations will help the industry grow and continue to bring jobs to the State. Photovoltaics offer a path to energy independence for Georgia, as well as environmental benefits, and a solid investment for businesses and homeowners."
William Silva, president, United Renewable Energy, Alpharetta
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Patrick Joyce, the coordinator at the Milton Center, is working with Lanier Tech and has given the college support in its plans. Adult education programs, including GED courses, have been offered before at the Milton Center in Lanier Tech's plan to gradually move in to North Fulton, taking it a bite at a time, said Vandiver.
"I feel like we've got potential of having a couple of hundred students over there in 2010. That's a lot of growth," he said.
But when you can fill up a course with almost no notice and start up a waiting list — and a few students are driving in from neighboring states twice a week for the course — Vandiver has confidence it can be done.
"We know the demand is there," he said.
Lanier Tech also found Bill Silva as an instructor, one of the few people in the state who is certified by a national organization in solar power.
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The 25 students in the course, which takes 42 hours to complete, will be eligible to challenge the NABCEP, the national test, to gain credentials in the first level toward solar installation.
"It's been a real interesting experience. We've got a lot of work to do before Jan. 7. But we'll be ready," Vandiver said.
Four solar courses have already been scheduled through fall 2010. The program should have longevity, Vandiver said, likening it to the beginnings of Lanier Tech's ammonia program. Originally that program only was intended for the local poultry industry. But it has expanded with students coming from across the nation.
"We're serving close to 750 students a year now from 48 different states that come to Georgia for that training," he said.
For the solar program, Lanier Tech already is hearing some buzz in the business community. A heating and air conditioning person may want to learn about installing solar-powered water heaters. Plumbers might also get into the game, as well.
Other states surrounding Georgia don't offer the program, with North Carolina the closest. That leaves South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida from which Vandiver said the solar program can draw students, in addition to Georgia.
"We're in this thing for the long haul. We are going to use this to springboard us into other things, to really start doing some additional programs over there," Vandiver said.
"What I want to happen is I want the community to tell us what they want to have," he said. "We need to have classes over there, but we've got to have classes they need. What are the courses people in North Fulton want to attend?
"We realize that there is a market there that is not going to go to our Forsyth campus. That means we've got to offer programs over there in that Milton Center," he said.
A lot of Quick Start programs have been offered in the Alpharetta school for individual businesses and industry, but not for the general public. Vandiver has been given the directive to find ways to put those types of programs into place. He promises the solar course is just the beginning.
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