What's New

COVID-19 Resources

ECU Webinar Series

NOTE: Due to Corona Virus, many events are being postponed or canceled. We'll try to keep up, but please contact organizers for official information.

FOR EDUCATORS

• SOMAH (Solar on Multi-Family Affordable Housing) is a 10 year, $100M program that offers paid internships to Community College students & graduates to install solar PV. Visit CalSOMAH.org to learn more and register as a qualified Job Training Organization.
• The ESCO Institute is offering remoteEPA Section 608 Exam administration & proctoring solutions for reduced & waived fees, and other free instructional resources for HVACR programs. Go to ESCOGroup.org to learn more.​​

FOR EMPLOYERS

• Are Contractors prepared for a de-carbonized, electrified buildings? This study, sponsored by the Building Decarbonization Coalition, suggests maybe not.
• The Center for a Competitive Workforce and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) released a report on the state of middle skill construction jobs in LA County.Read the highlights and full industry outlook.​
• The California Energy Alliance advocates on changes needed in the energy code to modernize the code and achieve California's energy goals and mandates for all communities. Read the attached paper.​

FOR STUDENTS

• SOMAH is offering workshops on solar careers - pathways, resume writing workshops, resume review - on July 1, 8, and 15. Learn more and register.
• Controlling plug loads such as task lighting, coffee makers, and vending machines can generate 15-50% energy savings and is a natural extension for lighting control, using the same strategies as used for general lighting. Learn more at LCA - click Education Express.
• Tesla is hiring licensed electricians in the East Bay to install microgrid infrastructure - residential PV solar systems, Solar Roof, battery storage, and EV wall connectors. Learn more.
• Internet Service Providers are providing special offers during the crisis - learn more.​​

 

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ECU Webinar Series

• 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 Q&A

NLCAA Curriculum Offerings

Video

• ECU Webinar Series: Essential Resources for Remote Instruction, Testing, and Proctoring for HVACR, presented by the ESCO Group and HVAC Excellence, May 29, 2020.

ESCO Presentation Materials

Video

• 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, 2020.

Eyler Webinar Presentation Materials

Video

• 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 California.pptx

Video

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Notable Events

NOTE: Due to Corona Virus, many events are being postponed or canceled. We'll try to keep up, but please contact organizers for official information.

• The National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference and Daikin Ductless Installation Class scheduled for March 23-25 in Las Vegas has been postponed. Contact Bruce Noble for details.

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ECU In The News

• "Growing" concrete? Science Friday from National Public Radio hosted a segment "The Beauty of Biological Concrete" on May 29 - read the article and listen to the segment.
• Construction remains an essential service during the COVID-19 shut-down orders - see these articles from the Sacramento Bee and the LA Times.

• Arnold is pitching electric cars! Watch this hilarious video - Kicking Gas - produced by electricforall.org.

• The Building Decarbonization Coalition released two reports providing guidance on advancing the goal of 100% decarbonization of the building sector in California by 2045: Decoding Building Decarbonization Research Agenda and Decoding Grid Integrated Buildings Report.
• PG&E is deploying microgrids to communities particularly vulnerable to fires - read this article.
• Sacramento is spending $30 million on Tiny Houses, and Sacramento's mayor is advocating similar policies across the state of California. Read more here.
• Power cuts in California are driving interest in battery storage technologies, creating career opportunities. Read this blog post from the Center for a Competitive Workforce.
• Microgrids are a viable solution to the power cuts being experienced in California due to fire danger, according to this Los Angeles Times article.
• The Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says "Be a plumber: Get rich!" Watch here.
• Building Automation Systems are forecasted to grow 11.1% annually through 2026 to a total market of $141 billion, according to this research report by Persistence Market Research as reported in Digital Daily News.​

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