COVID-19 Resources

In these unprecedented times, the ECU Sector wants to ensure that you have the latest educational and employment resources to facilitate on-line learning. We'll add resources as they are made available - check back often.

April 7

  • ASHRAE has updated their guidance on airborne transmission of COVID. Read the article.

Earlier Posts

  • The ACHR NEWS has a great article on how trade schools across the country are training HVAC technicians during the restrictions of the pandemic, including a contribution from Bruce Noble, the ECU Regional Director for Los Angeles. Read the article.
  • The Lighting Controls Association has a couple of new resources available for Community Colleges: Integrating Lighting Control and Building Systems course (available through license to CA CCs at LCA Education Express; and a free webinar, Tunable-White Lighting.
  • The Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in New York invites community college faculty to participate in its 2021 Workforce Development for Teachers & Scientists (WDTS) Champions program to learn more about the lab (www.bnl.gov), experience what it's like to conduct research at a world-class research facility, and explore ways to collaborate. There is no cost. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WDTS has been re-designed into two parts: Part 1 - a virtual meeting on November 17th and Part 2 - an onsite visit sponsorship to the Office of Educational Programs (OEP) at BNL, to tour the research facilities and meet face-to-face with the Lab leadership.  Under normal years, OEP would host this event on site for two days. A final agenda and the meeting link will be sent closer to the program date to registered participants. Register at https://surveys.external.bnl.gov/TakeSurveyPage.aspx?s=c6e425a36b4a45af887eaf1d4909d7b1&tsid=23664d6927004240a9ef383853236e6f&c=en-US; Registration Access Code: Wcp$19@4503
  • ​The Health Workforce Initiative is hosting a webinar "Burnout to Breakout – Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge and Reclaim What Matters" on October 9 at 2pm. The World Health Organization declared burnout as a global occupational hazard with specific symptoms and warnings. Enter COVID 19 and an upside-down world.  Burnout has become even stronger and insidious. Remote workforces, physical distancing, and dependency on virtual communication provide their own potential for burnout. Learn more and register here.
  • Multi-Sector Webinar, September 18: ECU joined with the Advanced Transportation & Logistics, Advanced Manufacturing, and Information & Communications Technology/Digital Media Sectors to host the Department of Energy's Office of Technology Transfer in a webinar entitled "National Laboratories: More Than Meets the Eye!" National Labs provide careers, mentorship, internship, and other opportunities for Community College faculty and students.
Webinar Q&A, Transcript, & Audio (ZIP archive)
Webinar Q&A, Transcript, & Audio (ZIP archive)
Toolkit Resources
Toolkit Resources
  • ECU Webinar Series, July 24: Building California's Facility Management Talent Pipeline - Industry Insight, Strategies, and Best Practices. Download Transcripts, Q&A, Presentation Materials, video, and audio from the webinar. 
Webinar Q&A, Transcript, & Audio (ZIP archive)
Webinar Q&A, Transcript, & Audio (ZIP archive)
IFMA Foundation Presentation Materials
IFMA Foundation Presentation Materials
  • Faculty from around the state met online on July 10 to discuss "Construction - Communities of Practice / Challenges & Solutions" - a virtual Community of Practice.
  • ECU Webinar Series: The National Lighting Contractors Association of America (NLCAA.org) presented Title 24 and Lighting: Curriculum & Resource Opportunities for Instructors, Career Enhancement Opportunities for Students. June 19.
NLCAA Presentation Materials
NLCAA Presentation Materials
NLCAA Q&A
NLCAA Q&A
NLCAA Curriculum Offerings
NLCAA Curriculum Offerings
  • June 17, 10am, Webinar - Registration Required: The Role of Healthy Buildings in the New COVID World. In much the same way that 9/11 changed the way we think about travel and security, COVID-19 has altered our perceptions of health and proximity to our fellow citizens. This cultural development has implications for a variety of business sectors but perhaps none more than for commercial and institutional real estate. Hear from a panel of building experts as they discuss their thoughts and learnings related to the new COVID world.
  • ECU Webinar Series: Essential Resources for Remote Instruction, Testing, and Proctoring for HVACR, presented by the ESCO Group and HVAC Excellence, May 29.
ESCO Presentation Materials
ESCO Presentation Materials
  • CAL/OSHA has released guidelines for COVID-19 prevention best practices in the Construction workspace. Read more.
  • The BACCC is hosting a presentation/discussion by the Association of College & University Educators (ACUE). In this meeting, Xavier Nazario and representatives from ACUE will present on the value of career education faculty completing their year-long, cohort-based, credentialed course to become a better community college instructor. We will also discuss the opportunities on how we can develop regional cohorts by leveraging Strong Workforce funds. Learn more and register.
  • Faculty from around the state met online to discuss "Construction - Communities of Practice / Challenges & Solutions" - a virtual Community of Practice. Meeting notes and recording are available here.
  • Continuing the ECU Webinar Series, Dr. Robert Eyler of Economic Forensics and Analysis, Inc. and Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University discussed the shape of the post-COVID economic recovery on April 24.
Eyler Webinar Presentation Materials
Eyler Webinar Presentation Materials
  • STEMconnector is hosting a webinar on April 30 at 4pm: A Panel Conversation on Continuing Internships in a Virtual World. Internships are a proven work-based learning opportunity to prepare talent for the future workforce. With the loss of in-person classes, projects and other engagements, continuing internships is even more important for the budding workforce. Hear what industry leaders are saying.
  • PG&E Energy Centers are offering its customers complimentary access to the Smart Buildings Center's library of Building Operator Certification (BOC) technical webinars. Register here, and use code PGEwebs at check out. Please register for as many webinars initially that you may want to watch as it's easier to do so upfront than adding to the order later. Topics offered include smart buildings technologies & practices, common opportunities for low-cost operational improvement, communication and occupant engagement, commissioning and other tune-ups, diagnostic tools, efficient lighting fundamentals, energy efficient operation of building HVAC systems, equipment, operation and maintenance practices for sustainable buildings, rebates, renewable energies, and water.
Use Code "PGEwebs"
  • The California Energy Commission held a webinar this week, "Weathering the COVID Crisis: Reflections & Resources for the Cleantech Community" - recording is available here.
  • Faculty in the North-Far North have found games from SimCoachGames.com to be helpful, in particular Electric Protector, Harness Hero, Site Coach: Fall Hazards, and Construction Crane Signals.
  • Energize Colleges is offering a series of virtual trainings for faculty on April 22, 29, and May 1. Topics are Secondary Education Energy & Climate Training and Community Choice Energy Training. Learn more and register.
  • ​​The ESCO Institute is offering remote EPA Section 608 Exam administration & proctoring solutions for reduced & waived fees. Go to ESCOGroup.org to learn more.​​
  • On April 3, Interplay Learning hosted a webinar on Helping Students Complete Energy Labs Through Online & VR Learning. InterPlay is making its latest online resources, including its 2D and 3D VR platform, Skill Mill, available to California Community Colleges at no cost through the end of the school year. This includes access to HVAC, Electrical and Solar online content. Faculty who have experience with the platform were to answer questions.
Interplay Learning Introductory Presentation
Interplay Learning California.pptx
  • On March 27 at 10am, the ICT-Digital Media Sector is hosting a webinar on Humanizing Remote Instruction to help instructors deal with the challenges of digital course delivery and improve online learning. Click here to register.
  • Internet service providers are making special offers during the crisis - here are some of the deals we're aware of:
Comcast
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Comcast is offering two months of free to Internet service through the Internet Essentials program (Links to an external site).  This offer is available to new and existing customers. Additionally, Xfinity WiFi hotspots (Links to an external site) are now available free of charge to the public.
AT&T
AT&T is providing free access to its WiFI hot spots (Links to an external site) throughout the country. 
Charter
Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access (Links to an external site) for 60 days to households college students and educators who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Additionally, all WiFi hotspots are now free of charge.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile is providing unlimited data to all current customers who have plans with data for the next 60 days. It will also provide additional data to mobile hotspot users.
Verizon
Verizon is waiving late fees and suspending service termination  (Links to an external site) for customers negatively impacted by the global crisis.
California Connects
California Community Colleges students are eligible for this mobile hotspot service (Links to an external site), powered by Sprint, which offers nationwide 4G LTE connectivity and allows users to connect up to 10 WiFi enabled devices for up to 10 hours on a single charge for only $19.99 a month.
  • ​The Lighting Controls Association is offering free educational resources to students - visit the LCA Education Express.​
  • The ESCO Institute and its partners are providing free educational resources for HVACR Instructors for a limited time. Go to ESCOGroup.org and click the Content for Educators button.​
  • The ESCO Institute is offering free webinars  on HVACR core competencies - go to ESCOGroup.org and click the ESCO Webinars button.​