Energy Technology Director Presents at Energy Workshop

The first in a four-part energy workshop series entitled Energizing our Workforce was held April 17 at Stone Child College in Box Elder. UM-COT Adjunct Professor, Dr. Ashley Preston, was a featured presenter for the initial session entitled "Renewable and Alternative Energy Careers in Montana." Dr. Preston discussed renewable energy education in Montana, job opportunities, available training resources, and the need for education in emerging industries. Dr. Preston serves as Director for the Energy Technology Program at The University of Montana.

Other presenters for this session included: Pat Wise from the Governor's Office of Economic Development, Wendy Kleinsasser and Dave Ryan from WindPark Solutions America, Michael Radecki from Western Power Administration, Barbara Stiffarm from Opportunity link, and Bobbi Jo Favel from Chippewa Cree Energy Corporation.

“Energizing our Workforce” is organized by Stone Child College in partnership with Opportunity Link and The University of Montana. It is paid for in part by a USDOL WIRED grant from the Montana Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Montana Department of Labor. All workshops are FREE and OPEN to all.

WORKSHOPS SERIES

Opportunities in Oilseeds and Biodiesel Production
April 24 & 25
Site visit on April 25 to Earl-Fisher Biofuels (Chester, MT) and MSU Northern's BioEnergy Innovation and Testing Center

Wind Energy Careers and Wind Montana Project
May 1 & 2

The Future in Solar and Geothermal Energy
May 15 & 16

Educator Training on Energy Development in Montana
May 22 & 23

For more information, call 265-3699. Full agendas are available online: http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/whatsnew.php
http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/downloads.php

Energizing our Worforce Workshop Series

During April & May Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy's Reservation will be hosting a workshop series entitled “Energizing our Workforce”. This series of workshops and field visits will provide an overview of emerging energy-related careers in the State of Montana, particularly for the North central Montana region.

Presentations include job opportunities, training resources, preparing for and accessing the training needed for these emerging industries. The workshops focus on having a talented, trained workforce as a key strategy for growing the local economy.

“Energizing our Workforce” is organized by Stone Child College in partnership with Opportunity Link, University of Montana College of Technology in Missoula and paid for in part by a USDOL WIRED grant from the Montana Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Montana Department of Labor.

The meeting is FREE and OPEN to all. Lunch and transportation to and from site visits are also provided.

Renewable and Alternative Energy Careers in Montana
April 17 & 18
Site visit on April 18 to Judith Gap Wind Farm

Opportunities in Oilseeds and Biodiesel Production
April 24 & 25
Site visit on April 25 to Earl-Fisher Biofuels (Chester, MT) and MSU Northern's BioEnergy Innovation and Testing Center

Wind Energy Careers and Wind Montana Project
May 1 & 2

The Future in Solar and Geothermal Energy
May 15 & 16

Educator Training on Energy Development in Montana
May 22 & 23

For more information, call 265-3699. The flyer and full agenda for the first workshop is available at http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/whatsnew.php

COT Partners with Blackfeet Community College

The Department of Applied Computing and Electronics and Blackfeet Community College partnered in presenting a three-part spring workshop series on sustainable energy practiced April 20th. UM faculty member Bill Gillespie reports that "we have a great deal to learn about our partner school as they provide a model based on a long tradition of environmental concern and a relationship with the environment focused on renewable and sustainable energy technologies". Bill serves as the Eastern Montana WIRED Grant coordinator.

Blackfeet Community College is engaged in renewable energy and sustainable energy practices. The April 20th presentation featured LEED building certification presented by Mark Headley (Studio-Forma Architects of Bozeman) and Gordon Whirry (Whirry Architects). It also marked the ground-breaking ceremony of a new LEED certified Math and Science Building on the BCC campus.

Energy Technology Students from UM will be traveling to BCC for a practicum experience in June.

The workshop series is a component of the Montana Workforce Innovation Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Program providing funding for training and curriculum development through partnerships between the UM-COT and Miles Community College, Montana Tech of The University of Montana College of Technology, Stone Child College and Blackfeet Community College

New Computer Aided Design Courses

Beginning Autumn Term 2009, The Department of Applied Computing and Electronics will offer a series of AutoCAD related courses. Three sections of CRT 182T Computer Aided Design are available. The new special topics courses CRT195T Computer Aided Design II will provide students with an intermediate-level AutoCAD experience. The special topics course Graphic Communications provides an introduction to basic principles of drafting. Additionally, the special topics course HEO 195T Surveying will provide an introduction to surveying equipment and data collection from a CAD perspective. With Board of Regents approval, a new Certificate of Applied Science program in Computer Aided Design will initiate August 2009.

New Sections of CRT 210 and CRT 285 are Open

Students registering for Fall Semester 2009 now have access to additional seats in CRT 210 and CRT 285. The new Course Registration Number (CRN) for CRT 210 Advanced Operating Systems is 72003. The new CRN for CRT 285 PC Hardware Support is 72004. Remember to register now to get the classes you want!

Energy Student Featured on MT PBS

Energy student Larry Keogh was interviewed on Montana Evening Edition on MT Public Radio yesterday for his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. Please visit the link below and to hear the story, scroll ahead to about 16 minutes into the recording. Fun stuff!

http://www.mtpr.net/program_info/2009-03-19-132

Missoula BarCamp at MonTEC

The second annual technology, non-profit, and arts unconference will happen on Saturday April 18th from 12 noon to 5 pm at MonTEC (1121 E.Broadway). All Western Montana computer professionals, scientists, web designers, students, companies, and entrepreneurs who are involved in the computer technology industry are invited to attend.

The BarCamp brings a high level of interaction and engaged exchanges. It is a self organizing conference built with leading edge social technology which is simple but evolutionary. Bring your best ideas and expect the same from other attendees.

Early registration is recommended to ensure adequate facilities and supplies. Due to donations wea re able to offer this event below cost, $8 for early registration and $15 if you choose to register after April 11th.

Please visit http://missoulabarcamp.org/main/ for more information.

Looking for Campus I.T. Jobs? Consider STAP

Students interested in campus I.T. jobs may want to consider the STAP program. The program provides a bridge between students with strong I.T. skills and campus entities seeking these individuals. Further information about the program and application materials are available online http://www.umt.edu/it/employ/stap.aspx PC plus Mac experience is a plus but not required. Jeramy Parker (jeramy.parker@umontana.edu) or Kathy Garramone (kathy.garramone@umontana.edu) are available to answer specific question.

Spring Semester

Classes begin Monday, January 26, 2009 for Spring Semester. There is still time to enroll. To begin visit http://cte.umt.edu or call New Student Services at (406) 243-7882. If you have already signed up for classes, be sure to finalize your bill by January 19. You can do through Cyberbear.

Additional section of CRT112 Operating Systems Added

An additional section of CRT112T Operating System Fundamentals has been added to the Spring 2009 schedule. It is slated to meet MW from 9:10-10:00 with a lab on Thursday from 12:10-2:00. The course request number (CRN) for this section is 32431.

Get Involved with the UMFLAT Project

Help design the UM FLAT sustainable home! There will be an informational presentation about how the project has evolved and a discussion about how you can become involved in the design and retrofit of the future home for the UM FLAT organization. The event will be Wednesday Oct 29th in UC Room 207 at 4:00. For more information check out the FLAT online: www.umt.edu/umflat or email umflat@gmail.com

Day of Dialogue Panel Discussion

Thursday, October 30th the COT will hold a panel discussion from 11:45 - 12:30 in the COT Commons Area entitled "Gender & Careers: Diversity in the Workforce". Local professionals will examine the issues of gender diversity within career fields. These pioneering men and women will discuss their experiences related to entering careers as the minority gender. Lunch will be provided at a discounted price.

The Day of Dialogue (Thursday, October 30th) is a campus-wide symposium focused on the topics of race, gender, ethnicity, ability/disability, religion, sexual orientation, employment hierarchy and academic discipline. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will deliver presentations, performances, workshops, and more throughout the day.

For more information or the complete list of scheduled events on the Main Campus please visit http://www.umt.edu/dayofdialogue/

Registration for Spring Semester 2009 Begins October 22, 2008

Check out the ACE Department Advising Center. Here you will find suggested schedules, course completion checklists, and course catalogs. Contact your advisor soon to discuss your Spring schedule. Remember to register early to get the classes you want!

Montana Green Campus

Governor Brian Schweitzer and the state Board of Regents have unveiled a Web site that gives those interested in "green" energy a way to learn about industry opportunities. It also allows them to find online classes to prepare for jobs in the field.

Schweitzer says the new Montana Green Campus allows a worker in rural Montana to go online and learn about green energy job opportunities in the state and to sign up for Internet classes to retrain for those jobs.

The site includes a map showing where 38 green energy projects are already under way around the state. It also has information about university research on fuel cells, hybrid energy, carbon sequestration and green construction. The site's address is http://mtgreen.mus.edu/

Growing Green Jobs Panel Discussion

On Saturday, October 25th from 7 pm -10 pm there will be a two part panel discussion on "How to Build Green Homes and Growing Green Jobs". This event will take place at the Bedford Building located at the Hamilton City Hall, 223 South 2nd Street. A donation of $3 at the door will be greatly appreciated.

Speakers include local builders and designer Lee Kierig, Ran Pigman of Pigman Builders, Ray Tipton of Big Sky Builders and Paul Wilson of Tamarack Builders. These gentlemen will share their experience with green building techniques and materials. The second half of the discussion features speakers with businesses and interests in the recycling, conservation and sustainability industries. These gentleman are Sonny LaSalle, Rick Wishcamper of Sustainable Living Center, Mark Hammond of Ravalli Services and Matt Heisel of Home Resources. They will talk about how their green oriented work creates more jobs while improving the well being of people and the planet.

For more information, please call Laura Craig, event coordinator, at 961-0004.

MSN Highlights Two-year Degrees

Careers with great salaries are accessible through two-year degrees. MSN reports a median salary of $42,000 for information technology associate degree graduates. Read more from MSN...

Montana Oilseed and Biodiesel Producers Workshop

On January 28-29 there will be a Montana Oilseed and Biodiesel Producers Workshop at the MSU-Billings College of Technology.
For more information go to www.ncat.org or http://www.deq.state.mt.us/Energy/calendar.asp

Small-Scale Biodiesel Production Efficiency Workshop Offered in Miles City

This is a short session for those who teach, who are interested in making, or have made biodiesel. The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Room 313 at the Miles Community College, 2715 Dickenson. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. This event is the day after “All Things Considered in Biofuels” (www.ethanolmt.org, 406 785 3722) at the same site.

People who attend this workshop will learn new information on Montana biodiesel production and co-product markets; efficiencies that can be gained making on-farm and small scale commercial biodiesel and its co-products; permitting and taxation issues for biodiesel production and the availability of fuel quality testing.

For more information on, or to register for, this event, contact DEQ 406 841 5200, or e-mail biwebb@mt.gov or visit the DEQ website at www.deq.mt.gov.

Wind Development Presentation October 16th 2pm-4pm at the University Center

Mike Carlson of the USDA, Eastern Plains RC&D in Sidney, MT, and New Harvest Energy will be making a presentation entitled "Wind Development in Eastern Montana". Mike has worked for many years to help increase awareness of the wind development opportunities available in the Eastern part of the state. His main focus has been on assisting rural landowners to diversify their economic opportunities by developing their wind resource.

The presentation will be held Thursday, October 16th from 2 pm - 4 pm in UC Room 333, third floor of the University Center on the Mountain Campus.

Mike's Description of the Presentation:This presentation will discuss the tremendous wind resource we have in this state and especially in the rural areas. I will discuss the tools and techniques we need to use to investigate this wind resource and the research data that needs to be done first. I will present the four major challenges this state has to overcome to fully develop our wind energy projects. I will show some of the grass roots research being done in the eastern part of Montana and the impressive results. The many benefits of wind development to our small counties to improve our tax base and future jobs in this emerging energy field will be discussed. My hope is to stimulate the university system to help with research and development of Montana's wind for future jobs and improved economic development. I also will stress the need for enhanced educational opportunities through our community and major colleges in this state for wind energy development.

Anemomter "Raising" -- Updated!

Brian Kerns of Alternative Energy Technologies is planning to install one anemometer tower on Waterworks Hill this Thursday, 10/2/08, with assistance from Sonny Kless and some other motivated EVST students. He welcomes interested students in the Energy Tech program to come along and join in. Activities will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the northern terminus of the Waterworks ridge trail, where you would run into a fence line if you kept going straight north. It’s a bit over a mile hike from the usual trailhead off Greenough Drive. Alternatively, folks could car pool over to the Randolf Homestead out near the landfill but parking is constrained there and issues with surrounding landowners make this the less preferable option. Brian will access the site with a vehicle from the Randolf property but one vehicle will be permitted up this road. The hike from either point is about the same. It will likely take 4 to 5 hours to get this installed. It will be a good hands-on learning experience about the practical and sometimes sweaty work that goes into renewable energy projects. Contact Brian Kerns either via email or at the office phone 532-3228 so he knows how many may be attending. If you come, bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, and work clothing. Bring water and maybe a snack. Event may be postponed due to weather.