MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP, announced it has entered into an educational partnership with South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Georgia.
Already a leader in quality and cutting-edge industry training, SGTC will start hosting the MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY on its main campus to provide basic photovoltaic knowledge to students interested in begin an exciting career in the rapidly expanding solar industry. The first intense, five-day course called Solar PV 101: Entry Level is scheduled to begin Monday, September 26th as a continuing education class. MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, which is a subsidiary of the globally operating MAGE SOLAR Group, opened its doors in January of 2011 at the North American headquarters of the company in Dublin, Georgia. Together with its counterpart in Europe, MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY in Germany, MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY has been offering a broad range of PV-related classes on both sides of the Atlantic with great success.
Bringing MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY to South Georgia Technical College will now enable students at the state-of-the-art institution to obtain the basic knowledge necessary to design, install, and maintain a PV-system for residential, commercial, and agricultural applications. In addition, completion of the course will also allow students to earn credits towards their eligibility for the PV Entry Level Exam of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
“South Georgia Technical College is excited about the partnership that we have formed with MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY,” said SGTC President Sparky Reeves. “Solar energy is one of the fastest growing alternative energy sources in the United States and with the assistance of MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, South Georgia Tech will be able to provide needed training as well as promote job creation in this field. By partnering with MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY on the solar academy, South Georgia Tech is making a serious commitment to training individuals for new jobs in the renewable energy field.”
With a projected job-growth rate of 26% this year alone, job training and certification are key to successfully entering the solar market. Over 120,000 workers are currently estimated to be employed in the industry throughout the U.S. and almost half of them either own or work for a company installing solar panels (National Solar Job Census 2010, Solar Foundation). Certification through NABCEP is not only the recognized “gold standard” for the solar industry, but is also an important advantage for professionals in distinguishing themselves from other less trained installers.
“A passionate dedication to innovation and the highest of quality technical education make South Georgia Technical College not only one of the leading training facilities in the South East, but also an ideal partner for MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY,” concludes Joe Thomas, President of MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY. “Providing the industry with a skilled and certified work force is a win-win situation for all: SGTC and its students, the clean energy industry, and the economy.”
