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GRAHAM — Alamance Community College is taking on the task of educating the area’s “green-collar” workers.

The school is the first community college in the state to launch an Alternative Energy Technology Certificate Program.

“Our program is designed to train individuals to go right into the workplace,” said Barry Weinberg, the school’s executive vice president.

The program, which begins in the fall, will train students in the concepts of environmental sustainability; wind, solar and hydro power systems; and renewable energy. It is a part of the school’s industrial systems technology department.

The program was approved by the school’s board of trustees in June, and it has earned approval from the State Board of Community Colleges.

Alamance County is an ideal place for the program because of the large amount of unoccupied space that can’t be developed, Weinberg said.

“We have room on campus where we can develop solar arrays and where we can put a functioning wind turbine,” he said. “Our students will get hands-on experience with new technology as it emerges.”

The program will be set up in phases by adding one to two classes at a time.

The college is looking at this green course of study from two angles, Weinberg said.

“As the field of alternative energy requires more training, we want to keep up with that,” he said. “And we’re looking to establish partnerships with four-year universities so that they can transfer to get a four-year degree.”

Weinberg has already met with officials from Appalachian State University and N.C. A&T about a possible partnership.

The green industry is emerging quickly, he said, and community colleges are ahead of the four-year colleges in developing courses of study.

“Many community colleges are leading this effort because we can provide the training quickly,” Weinberg said. “The time is now. We want to make sure we provide our students with the necessary skill sets for employment in this field.”

Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 373-7157 or tiffany.jones @news-record.com