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NSSC Accepts Award for Northwestern Training-Network Partner

Kenneth P. Hellberg Jr. (left), building performance specialist for Penn College’s National Sustainable Structures Center, accepts the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council Energy Star award from Jonathan Passe, residential branch chief for Energy Star.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, whose Building Operator Certification program trains and certifies facilities operations and maintenance personnel to achieve cost-saving energy efficiency, has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy with a 2018 Energy Star Award of Excellence.

Kenneth P. Hellberg Jr., building performance specialist for Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center, traveled to Washington, D.C., on April 20 to accept the award on behalf of the nonprofit and its training network. NSSC is licensed to administer the BOC program in the mid-Atlantic region.

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NSSC Accepts Energy-Efficiency Award on Behalf of Industry Partner

Alison A. Diehl, director of Penn College’s National Sustainable Structures Center, accepts The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council Energy Star award from Jacob Moss, deputy director of the EPA Climate Protection Partnerships Division.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, national sponsor of the Building Operator Certification program that trains and certifies workers in best practices for energy efficiency, has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2016 Energy Star Award.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center is part of the network of licensed providers nationwide helping to administer the BOC program. Alison A. Diehl, NSSC director, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept the award on behalf of the nonprofit and its training coalition.

“EPA does an outstanding job in recognizing industry partners that are achieving real impacts on energy-efficiency efforts,” Diehl said. “We are proud to represent NEEC and the national Building Operator Certification, a program that teaches facilities personnel to improve occupant comfort while maximizing facility efficiency.”

Faculty & Staff General Information Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies NSSC Nursing & Health Sciences Physician Assistant PIRC Plastics & Polymer Students Workforce Development

TV Segment Shares College’s Responsiveness to Workforce Needs

"Stay Tuned" to WVIA-TV — “Stay Tuned” to WVIA-TV

Penn College’s success in answering the skilled demands of industry will be featured in the next episode of WVIA-TV’s “Stay Tuned,” premiering at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21. The recurring series continues the public television station’s goal to highlight those making a difference in meeting critical community needs. “Television viewers often are bombarded with ‘What’s wrong with the world?’ news stories. WVIA’s ‘Stay Tuned’ reminds us that great people do great things every day in our region,” said Elaine J. Lambert, special assistant to the president for creative development and public relations. “It is an honor for Penn College to be featured in this episode.” Interviewed in the 10-minute segment are Tracy L. Brundage, vice president for workforce development; Kirk M. Cantor, professor of plastics technology; Christopher J. Gagliano, program manager, Thermoforming Center of Excellence; Alison A. Diehl, director, National Sustainable Structures Center; Ryan L. Newman, a former technician with the Plastics Innovation & Resource Center (who has since accepted employment in Louisiana); and students Madison T. Powell, of Linden (plastics), Eric M. Danz, of Hershey, and Kyle D. Bomboy, of Unityville (both physician assistant).

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New Director Named at National Sustainable Structures Center

Alison A. Dillon has been named director of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center, a groundbreaking force in the field of building science and energy-efficiency training.

Effective July 1, Dillon – assistant director since 2011 – will be the main point of contact for the department, provide supervisory responsibilities for the team, and take the leadership role in working with NSSC’s clients and partners. She succeeds John E. Manz, who transitions to a role as director of special initiatives at NSSC.

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NSSC’s Training Programs First in State to Be Fully Accredited

The National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has added a groundbreaking chapter to its three-decade success story: It is the first in the commonwealth to offer accredited training in all four of the Home Energy Professional programs.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council recently approved NSSC’s application for accreditation of its Quality Control Inspector and Crew Leader training programs, completing a credentialing sweep that began with endorsement of the Retrofit Installer Technician and Energy Auditor programs in the summer of 2013.

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Building Operator Certification National Sponsor Honored by EPA

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, the national sponsor of the Building Operator Certification program that trains and certifies workers in best practices for energy efficiency, has been chosen by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a 2014 ENERGY STAR Award.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center is part of the network of licensed providers nationwide helping to administer the BOC program.

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NSSC Training Programs Receive National Accreditation

The National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology, an acknowledged leader in building science and energy-efficiency training, has received prestigious confirmation of its success: national accreditation for two of its Home Energy Professional training programs.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, a top accreditation and credentialing body for training programs and instructors in the clean energy field, has given its official approval to NSSC’s Home Energy Professional Retrofit Installer Technician and Energy Auditor training programs, which are accredited under the IREC Standard 01022:2011.

“This accreditation is confirmation of what we have known for nearly 30 years,” Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour said. “NSSC and its predecessor, the Weatherization Training Center, have long provided credible training that reflects our dedication to hands-on workforce preparation.”

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NSSC Partners With Industry Group for Building Operator Training

The National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has partnered with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, a nonprofit trade association of the energy-efficiency industry, to bring national Building Operator Certification to the Mid-Atlantic region.

Under an agreement signed in March, NSSC at Penn College provides access to its nationally recognized program – resources that include curriculum, training materials and a pool of instructors – as the licensed administrator of BOC training for six states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia) and the District of Columbia.

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College Employee Among Industry Experts Named to National Panel

The director of the National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has been appointed to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Standards Committee, tasked with ensuring that training credentials continue to reflect industry needs.

John E. Manz is one of seven charter members of the committee, which will shepherd this year’s development of revised standards to promote a safe and effective renewable-energy and energy-efficiency workforce.

“IREC has gathered a committee of the top experts in the country representing all parties that are part of the clean energy workforce framework,” said IREC President/Chief Executive Officer Jane Weissman. “With a common commitment to quality, the committee will provide guidance and assurance that our standards are the best in advancing quality training and workforce safeguards.”

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Weatherization Training Center Renamed to Reflect Broader Scope

The Weatherization Training Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has officially changed its name to the National Sustainable Structures Center, a designation that reflects continuing opportunities to provide building-science and energy-conservation training to the commercial sector, complementing the training center’s extensive experience in the residential field.

Since its inception in 1985, NSSC has taught more than 10,000 students in building-science and energy-conservation standards and techniques. The noncredit courses have benefited employees already working in the weatherization field, as well as individuals seeking a career change – including the unemployed.

NSSC’s reputation as a nationally recognized U.S. Department of Energy Legacy Weatherization Training Center is complemented by new partnerships and opportunities to work with industry and energy utilities in the commercial building sector.

General Information Marcellus Shale NSSC Workforce Development

Web Page Strengthens College’s Mutually Beneficial Ties to Business, Industry

Web page reaches out to corporate audience Business and industry interested in learning more about Penn College can get acquainted at a new Web page, a “one stop” for anyone in the corporate world looking for more information about the college. The content serves to capture business and industry interest as corporate partners, potential donors, collaborators, innovators, trainers/trainees, and advisers; to acknowledge existing relationships; and to attract adult learners from business and industry. The design and development of the page which also includes photos of visiting companies and off-campus job sites was a collaborative effort among Elaine J. Lambert, director of college information and community relations; Dawn M. Cool, marketing communications coordinator for Workforce Development & Continuing Education; and Michael Richards, web designer.

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Commonwealth Cabinet Secretary Visits Penn College

C. Alan Walker, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, visited Penn College on Friday. Walker toured the Weatherization Training Center along Reach Road seeing firsthand how the facility has earned its sterling reputation anddiscussed the college’s leadership role in the Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center and the WEDnetPA Guaranteed Free Training Program. Welcomed by college President Davie Jane Gilmour, the secretary also heard from Larry L. Michael, assistant vice president for workforce development and special projects; John E. Manz and Alison A. Dillon, Pennsylvania Housing Resource Center director and assistant director, respectively; and Tom J. Venditti, statewide director of WEDnetPA.

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WTC Spotlighted in U.S. Department of Energy Video

Penn College’s Weatherization Training Center, expanded and modernized last fall in response to heightened American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investment, is the subject of a U.S. Department of Energy video. Taped in April and recently posted online as part of the agency’s “Energy Empowers” series, the four-minute segment features WTC staff, alumni and others who benefit from the comprehensive training provided at the Reach Road facility. “My classes here completely prepared me for the job that I have now. Without these classes, I wouldn’t be able to have the job that I have now,” says alumnus Kirk Gannett, a state Department of Community and Economic Development employee who was among those interviewed. “I’m monitoring agencies. I’m out there looking at what agencies are doing, how they’re spending money, and making sure that the work they’re doing is up to our Pennsylvania standards.”

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Weatherization Training Center Catches Energy Department’s Eye

Penn College’s renowned Weatherization Training Center turned soundstage this week, as a video producer for the U.S. Department of Energy shot footage for the agency’s efficiency and renewable-energy division. Brian Sabintrained his camera on instructional specialists Brian K. Wilson (also an alumnus) and Gerald A. Welshans as they demonstrated laboratory exercises typically employed at the newly modernized training center on Reach Road. Sabin also visited a Combustion Analysis and Retrofit class; met with three alumni (Dawn Moody, Kirk Gennett and Karl Orwig) to get a perspective on their WTC training; and spent time in the field with STEP Inc., a local Weatherization Assistance provider.

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DCED Secretary Tours Weatherization Training Center at Penn College

George Cornelius, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, toured the Weatherization Training Center at Penn College on Friday. The center has expanded operations in response to the growing demand for service fueled by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The center expects to train up to 1,000 men and women to help low-income households reduce energy consumption and costs in the coming year. The funding boost is expected to provide 940 jobs in Pennsylvania over the next three years for individuals who will weatherize at least 29,700 more housing units, reducing energy usage in the state by the equivalent of 155,000 barrels of oil a year. WTC provides competency-based training courses on site and on location for employees or contractors of community-based organizations who administer mechanical and building-shell retrofits under the assistance program. For more information about the Weatherization Training Center at Penn College, visitonline or call 570-327-4768.

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