EUGENE, Ore. — The Lane Community College Board of Education has approved a new degree program, the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Energy Management with Building Controls Technology, which will be offered starting Fall 2023 pending final approval by Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The decision was made at the board’s April 4 meeting. The college suspended the current Energy Management AAS degree and 1-year certificate in response to the growing demand for professionals in the Energy Management with Building Controls sector.
The new program is designed to address the increasing demand for qualified individuals in the combined fields of Building Energy Management and Building Controls. Due to state regulations, the suspension of the current Energy Management AAS degree requires the suspension of the Energy Management Building Controls Option AAS as well. As a result, this proposal aims to continue the Energy Management with Building Controls curriculum as a standalone AAS degree.
The Energy Management program at Lane Community College has been adapting to industry demands since its inception in 1992. In recent years, the demand for professionals in the field of Energy Management with Building Controls has surged due to the growth in the building energy efficiency and building controls industries. Through the Department of Energy, the Federal Government is planning to provide funding to train Energy Auditors/Analysts in several states, including Oregon, with Lane Community College being the only educational institution in the state offering this training.
By concentrating on a single program, the college will be able to optimize resources, streamline the curriculum, and enhance the experience for both students and instructors. The new AAS degree program will maintain its fully online format, featuring the same course offerings as the current program. Instructors, who are all industry professionals, will continue to stay informed on the latest industry trends.
In the past five years, the program has seen a 75% success rate, with 183 students enrolling in an Energy Management (NRG) course, creating 594 enrollments, and 444 successful completions. As the economy evolves, enrollment trends are expected to increase. The Energy Management with Controls program is also the "related training" component to the new registered Building Energy and Controls Apprenticeship (BECA) program which includes 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training.
"We are thrilled to introduce the new Associate of Applied Science in Energy Management with Building Controls Technology program at Lane Community College,” said Roger Ebbage, Program Coordinator. “This innovative and timely degree offering reflects our commitment to staying current with industry trends and providing our students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this rapidly growing field. By adding on the Building Controls content, we are confident that our graduates will be well-prepared to contribute to a more energy-efficient and sustainable future."
Several organizations are offering scholarships to support students, particularly underserved groups, with potential funding from the Federal Government for assistance with childcare and other non-instructional expenses. The online program format will continue to benefit working students, out-of-area students, and professionals looking to further their education.
Energy Management staff will be attending high school career fairs, industry conferences, and other recruitment opportunities to connect students and employers within this growing sector.
For more information about the new Associate of Applied Science in Energy Management with Building Controls Technology program at Lane Community College, visit the program website or contact Roger Ebbage at ebbager@lanecc.edu or (541) 556-7724.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.