Ecotech Institute is a new career college determined to strengthen Colorado’s New Energy Economy and set the standard for clean energy workforce development

Reported by David A. Hill, Executive Editor

DENVER — Clean energy and government officials, including Governor Ritter and Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer, joined a throng of media representatives on a sun-splashed Wednesday morning at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, as the official launch of Ecotech Institute was announced. 

Education Corporation of America, a major owner/operator
of private higher education institutions in the U.S says it is the first and only college entirely focused on careers in renewable energy and sustainable design. Once its flagship Colorado campus in Aurora is fully established, Ecotech plans to expand across the U.S. to help fuel rapidly growing industries in the clean energy sector.

“The time has come for a higher education institution that is 100 percent focused on preparing Americans for green collar jobs, not merely a department or program inside of an institution,” says Tom Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer of Education Corporation of America. “Having been built by and for the renewable energy and sustainable design industries in collaboration with academic leaders, Ecotech Institute delivers practical career education that can transform people into highly skilled green collar professionals.”

Said Governor Ritter, “Colorado is leading America to a clean energy future by strengthening our ability to compete nationally and internationally for service and manufacturing jobs.  Ecotech Institute’s Colorado campus will help prepare the workforce for those jobs … and our New Energy Economy is spurring new innovations and energy technologies. We are moving closer to energy independence by expanding homegrown energy supplies.  We are ensuring stable, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy for all Coloradans.”

PRACTICAL CURRICULUM FOR TODAY’S JOBS

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, is launching with seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills that are highly valued by today’s renewable energy employers, including:

• Electrical Engineering Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy and Environmental Paralegal, Associate of Applied Science
• Energy Efficiency, Associate of Applied Science
• Environmental Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
• Sustainable Interior Design, Certificate Program
• Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

“Ecotech Institute programs connect people’s interest in hands-on work to high-paying environmental jobs,” says Michael Seifert, President of Ecotech Institute. “This is a very exciting time for the technicians and green-collar workers who are moving into renewable energy and sustainable design—two sectors that are poised for explosive growth.”

The company says it will transform an existing large footprint building in Aurora into a LEED-certified training facility that will incorporate energy and resource savings throughout the building.

“Ecotech Institute is bringing new jobs and skills to Aurora that will attract renewable energy companies to the metro area and Colorado,” said Wendy Mitchell, president and CEO of the Aurora Economic Development Council.  “Its presence, and the skilled workforce they will provide, will strengthen our position as a leader in the renewable energy industry.”