Southern California Edison (SCE) is donating $100,000 to EC for green training programs for students interested in green related programs, Dr. Stephanie Rodriquez, dean of industry and technology, said.
EC is one of 10 colleges participating in the newly launched Green Jobs Education Initiative that will receive $100,000 through scholarship.
“Green Jobs Education Initiative funding will provide scholarships for dozens of students, each of whom will be rewarded $1,000 per year for a minimum of 2 years based on financial need and a GPA of 2.0 or higher,” Rodriquez, said.
Training programs include study of solar panel installation, water and wastewater management transportation and alternative fuels, biofuels production and farming and environmental compliance or sustainability planning.
“I am excited about this new project. This is something that will benefit me in so many ways,” Blake Barnes, 19, air conditioning and refrigeration major, said.
These are jobs of the future. Some exist today and many of them do not. So it is important to provide quality education now, according to Tammy Tumbling, SCE representative.
The program first started last fall and it really took off this semester. Pledges were made by individuals and corporations to support the scholarship- all dedicated to help serve students with financial needs.
“Notices go out through the foundation and it goes on as long as colleges are able to manage,” Rodriquez, said.
Support for the Osher initiative has been mounting since its launch last summer, with contributors now totaling $700,000 toward the college’s overall $1 million goal.
“A matching of funds had to be raised for the Bernard Osher Foundation”, she said.
Applications are made available on the EC website and students can find other scholarship by major or gender. The deadline has been extended to Thursday, March 4th by noon.
“Keep an eye out for future things like the green internship that will be coming June 2011. Spring announcements are available online,” Rodriquez said.