EPCE Online Newsletter
- EPCE's Education Programs
- Win a Free Class - Industrial Aptitude Test Prep or Orientation to the Electrical Industry
- Education News - Online Education Up 17%
- Online Learning Tip - Ask Questions
- Member News - Solar from Constellation Energy
- Industry News - The President Addresses Nuclear
- Student Story - Lamont Lee
Join the growing number of adult learners using additional education to help take charge of their future. The interactive, instructor-led energy courses are delivered entirely online - 24/7, and are reviewed by industry experts to provide relevant curriculum tailored directly to jobs in the industry.
The courses are designed to build upon one another and apply toward the next level of certificate or degree. Credit-transfer and articulation agreements between our providers ensure seamless online education
To find out more about the variety of EPCE's industry-sponsored online education programs, please visit: www.epceonline.org/programs
Join Us On Facebook or Twitter for the Chance to Win a Free Class
Did you know EPCE is on Facebook and Twitter? Follow EPCE there to receive news and updates about EPCE programs, our partners, and the industry as it happens.
In February, we will be drawing a winner who will get their choice of either a free Industrial Aptitude test prep or an Orientation to the Electrical Industry online course provided by BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence.
Become a fan of EPCE on Facebook 
Follow EPCE on TwitterThe 2009 Sloan Survey of Online Learning reveals that enrollment rose by nearly 17 percent from a year earlier. The survey of more than 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide finds approximately 4.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2008, the most recent term for which figures are available. The seventh annual survey is the leading barometer of online learning in the United States.
"Online education continues to establish itself as demand remains strong and new applications materialize, such as contingency planning for campus emergencies," said Frank Mayadas, special advisor, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. "We believe demand will fuel sustained growth especially within public universities and community colleges, raising the need to share research, optimal methods for faculty training, and other best practices to new levels of importance."
Find the complete survey report at the Sloan Consortium's website.
Online Learning Tip - Ask Questions
"Be in touch with your instructor and make postings, even if you think they are foolish. Other students probably have the same questions."
Vanessa Fritz: AAS in Nuclear Power Technology, Bismarck State College
Member News - Constellation Energy to Develop Maryland's Largest Solar Photovoltaic Power System
Constellation Energy has been selected by the state of Maryland to develop an approximately 15.9 megawatt DC (13.5 MW/AC) solar photovoltaic power installation under the state's Generating Clean Horizons initiative.
"Constellation Energy is pleased to be partnering with the state of Maryland on the Generating Clean Horizons initiative to develop new sources of clean power and stimulate the economy through the growth of the clean energy sector," said Mayo A. Shattuck III, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Constellation Energy. "This large-scale solar facility will make a significant contribution to our shared goal of a cleaner energy future."
Industry News - Nuclear and Other Energy Addressed in the President's State of the Union
In his State of the Union Address, President Obama voiced his support for safe, clean nuclear power and received a standing ovation.
"But to create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development. It means continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies. And, yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America."
- President Barack Obama, January 27, 2010
"I would like to be a lineman. I love learning about transformers and how electricity goes to the houses and buildings." Lamont Lee Intern Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OGE) Completed High School Program |
Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OGE) using leading edge high school model to Grow Their Own
During Lamont's sophomore year of high school, employees from Oklahoma Gas & Electric came to his school and presented an opportunity for students to get acquainted with the energy industry with an online course on mathematics in energy. Lamont learned in the conversation that the benefits of the program included the possibility of an internship that allows him to gain experience in different areas in order to find out what he likes to do and also having his college paid, which was something he was very interested in. Lamont decided to apply for the program, but didn't think he would get chosen.
Lamont was surprised to find out that he was in fact selected for the OGE high school program and would start in his junior year. When the time came, the online course was quite a change, but according to Lamont, "After the first couple days you get use to it, and then it didn't get in the way."
In his senior year, Lamont was captain of the basketball team and was also selected as "Mr. Teenager," a special designation for the best all-around male student in Muskogee. Along with that title came the responsibility to talk with elementary students about staying in school and keeping off drugs. During the year the pressure of all his activities combined and Lamont had to work hard to stay with the program, "It got stressful, but my dad told me to stick with it, and I'm glad I did."
Lamont had a lot of decisions to make towards the end of high school. He was offered basketball scholarships from two different universities plus he qualified for the opportunity to continue with OGE as an intern and have his Associate's degree paid for. "It took a while to decide," Lamont recalls. "But, I like the energy field and the guarantee of a job when I finish school."
Lamont is excited about his fulltime internship with OGE. "I'm currently in the engineering department for eight months. Then I will go to the power plant for eight months. From there I will be at a substation for eight months and I'll finish my two years cross training with linemen." While working as an intern, he will also be a full time student in the EPCE sponsored Electric Power Technology program from BSC.
Lamont's advice to others interested in the program is, "If you are not sure, take a chance. You might like it."
Copyright© 2010 CAEL - All Rights Reserved