News Science and Technology UNC to develop clean energy workforce through new N.C. Energy Office grant
| UNC to develop clean energy workforce through new N.C. Energy Office grant |
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| Tuesday, July 27, 2010 | |
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A new internship and fellowship program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will help build a skilled workforce to transition North Carolina to a clean energy future. The program, Developing Energy Leaders through Action (DELTA), will be funded by the North Carolina Energy Office and UNC student fees. It is one of a host of projects in a new state-wide Energy Office initiative receiving $5.6 million in Recovery Act funds to create 400 energy economy jobs and internships for college students. Led by the UNC Institute for the Environment, the program will provide more than 60 undergraduate and graduate internships of varying lengths, including three year-long full time fellowships for recent graduates, and a combination of summer and school-year internships. Students will participate in applied research and direct assistance work across the state with groups ranging from UNC and Fortune 500 energy companies to local and state governments and non-governmental organizations. Funding from the Energy Office of almost $325,000 will be augmented by up to $60,000 over two years from UNC’s $4 per student renewable energy student fee, which was instituted by a student-led referendum during campus elections. The Carolina student government’s renewable energy special projects committee selected DELTA as its major initiative for the next two years. “There is a growing demand among students to participate in energy-related internships and learning activities,” said Greg Gangi, the institute’s associate director for education and one of the principal investigators for the grant. “They are seeking out unique opportunities to help North Carolina communities and they know there will be career opportunities during the impending clean energy transition.” Several groups across campus are collaborating with the institute to provide the opportunities. For a full list and more details, go to http://www.ie.unc.edu/PDF/news_related/SEO_grant.pdf. North Carolina Energy Office announcement: http://www.energync.net/resources/docs/press/07-20-2010_internships_FINAL.pdf Institute for the Environment contact: Josh Meyer, (919) 962-0965,
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