Online directory for renewable energy training

Dec. 20, 2010, Montreal – The Commission
for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is helping to advance training for “green”
jobs in North America with the first trinational web-based directory, listing
over 100 renewable energy training courses. The CEC's new online directory
presents a comprehensive list of courses offered in Canada, Mexico, and the
United States for training in solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy,
and hydrogen and fuel cell industries.

A 2010 report, commissioned by the CEC,
analyzed the state of renewable energy training in North America, identified
opportunities for improvement, and made recommendations from a North American
perspective (report:
www.cec.org/Storage/94/9124_QA08.13-RE_Training_Resources_en.pdf). The
report found that a trinational collaborative system could help build and share
best practices between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. As a result, the
CEC has launched a web-based information system to promote renewable energy
training courses: see www.cec.org/energycourses.

The CEC report shows that of 235 courses
identified, 83% are located in the United States, 14% in Canada, and 3% in
Mexico. Regional challenges include a lack of renewable energy markets
sufficiently established for academic institutions to offer resources, as well
as a lack of qualified trainers. Institutions providing green training
identified in this report are predominantly colleges and universities (65%),
followed by private companies (20%), and associations related to renewable
energy or trade unions (close to 10%).