News about Clean Energy Center

The National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology, a leading provider of building performance and energy-efficiency training in the mid-Atlantic, has rebranded to mirror the rapid transformation of the energy workforce.

At the heart of the rebranding is a name change to the Clean Energy Center at Penn College.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center is adding a training site in Westmoreland County to enhance delivery of building science and energy efficiency training for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

The Penn College Board of Directors approved the site Thursday. The leased 7,500-square-foot facility, located at 321 Cherry Hill Drive in Latrobe, will enable the NSSC to offer the same services provided in Williamsport. NSSC is contracted by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to provide building performance certification training and testing.

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It wasn’t remotely on his mind while taking a Mechanical Systems I class in Fall 2011, but a Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus/employee’s plumbing and pipe-fitting skills resulted in fabrication of framework for five EMS airway hoods to be used at Geisinger Medical Center.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology is aiding the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by donating personal protection equipment to area health care facilities.

Various departments have spent the past week collecting supplies – originally intended for on-campus student and staff use – to be distributed within the next few days to the college’s nursing home partners.

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The director of Penn College’s National Sustainable Structures Center was invited to serve as guest blogger for the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s observance of National Weatherization Day on Wednesday. In her post, Alison A. Diehl shares information about the center’s renowned training and technical assistance programs for home energy professionals and commercial building operators. “Working in weatherization can open the door to many opportunities in the growing energy efficiency industry,” she wrote. “For individuals with a passion to improve the quality of life in their communities and looking for a career with growth potential, earning credentials through NSSC’s training programs is a great pathway to consider.”

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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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.”

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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).

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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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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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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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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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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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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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.

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