#1359 | April 22, 2013

Panels avoided use of 106,000+ kWh annually plus generated 90,000+ kWh

SAVANNAH – Jason White, one of the founders of Okefenokee Solar, Inc., in Blackshear, Ga., attended Savannah Technical College’s Photovoltaic Systems class twice a week last summer. Then, he earned certification by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), a national certification organization for professional installers in the field of renewable energy. With his Photovoltaic training and NABCEP certification, White has installed 14 solar pump stations, one 8.25 kilowatt (KW) commercial installation and one 10KW residential system, since his company was established in 2012.

Students like White benefit from the College’s commitment to sustainable technologies through training for installation and maintenance of renewable energy technology for solar, wind and solar thermal. This spring the College started its wind energy class, and this summer students may enroll in a Photovoltaic Systems or solar energy class.

“We know sustainability continues to be a driving force in how businesses make their decisions for future growth and development,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “It is important for Savannah Technical College to prepare students for a variety of sustainable industries including renewable energy, green-building construction, energy efficiency, alternative fuel technology and historic preservation.”

Last summer STC students enrolled in the Photovoltaic Systems class installed a 28.2KW system of solar panels on the College’s Industrial Technology building at the Savannah campus. This installation doubled the College’s solar panel footprint from 120 to 240 panels. Each panel has a 230W capacity.

This summer, the College will offer its popular Photovoltaic Systems class through the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program beginning May 30. The hybrid evening class allows students to listen to lectures and do course work from home computers and come to campus two nights a week for hands-on instruction. Due to popular demand this class is now offered year-round at Savannah Tech.

STC Department Head Lester Wiggins uses the two different installation methods for each set of panels to teach the students the power of heat’s effect on electricity. The set of panels installed last summer has the same wattage as the previously installed panels, but it produces more energy due to its raised racks. “Heat is electricity’s biggest enemy,” said Wiggins. “By installing the newest set of panels five inches higher on the roof, they will stay cooler and produce more power.” Raising the panels produces approximately six percent more energy or an additional average of 208 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month.

According to Wiggins, optimal placement for solar panels is due south. He also said that panels should be installed at an angle with the same latitude as the location. For Savannah, that is 32 degrees. Wiggins discovered the roof of the College’s Industrial Technology building, which faces due south, was slanted nearly 32 degrees with the first solar panel installation in May 2011.

The College’s Industrial Technology and Auto Technology Buildings averaged 26,000 kWh total for monthly use in 2012, according to actual billed usage from Georgia Power. Peak months like July or August used nearly 40,000 kWh each month. The annual savings with solar panels for 2012 was 106,760 kWh compared with usage from 2010, the last full year the College powered those buildings fully with purchased electricity. With the new system online, the College will avoid the use of more than double that amount to 200,000 kWh with the more efficient, raised panel installation.

Savannah Tech’s energy consumption has increased for Industrial Technology programs, since the first solar panel installation. The College switched to a semester system in Fall 2011 and began offering extended class hours to better meet the needs of its students. The College also increased the hours welding students used the building, so energy consumption increased while purchased kilowatt hours decreased.

According to Savannah Tech’s Dean of Industrial Technology Tal Loos, programs like welding, which use a large amount of energy and are housed in the Industrial Technology building, have increased enrollment since the panels were first installed. “All welding classes are full or right at capacity, even with additional classes,” said Loos. “This means that more students are welding and using more power. We have also increased the number of welding booths, so we have more machines running, which use more power.”

The solar panels not only decreased the College’s energy needs from Georgia Power, but also put energy back into Savannah Tech’s power supply. For the 22 months that the original solar panel system has been in place, the College has generated more than 78,000 kWh. The new system, installed by Savannah Tech students last summer was brought online November 30, 2012, and has generated more than 15,000 kWh in its 4.5 months of service.

Through using solar panels the College has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 160,000 pounds since May 2011.

Savannah Technical College’s Electrical Construction and Maintenance program prepares students for a career in Electrical Systems Technology. Students learn to inspect, maintain, install and repair electrical systems for residential, commercial and industrial industries. Savannah Tech has trained students to earn a Photovoltaic System Technical Certificate of Credit since 2006, when it was the first public college to offer solar training in Georgia. This Spring, the College added wind technology and plans to include solar thermal to its course offerings for Fall 2013. The program is one of the first in the state of Georgia to include sustainable technologies, which introduces students to various topics including energy efficiency, energy measures and management, sustainable energy production, green building construction and historic preservation.

Actual billed usage 2010 – 2012. Source: Georgia Power.

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Industrial Technology/Photovoltaics Systems Course Information:
Academic Advisor Melanie Smith: 912.443.5859 or msmith@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1357 | April 17, 2013

Open House: 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, Savannah Campus

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will host an Electrical Utility open house from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on April 30, in STC’s Industrial Technology Building, Room 5123 (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31405). Prospective students and the general public are invited to get firsthand information about Electrical Utility Technology and the careers available within this growing field.

“The energy industry has partnered with Savannah Technical College to develop a specific program to grow technicians to meet future skills with increased emphasis on technology,” said Georgia Power Workforce Development Manager Debra Howell. “Our industry, as well as other industries in the Savannah area, will benefit from a pool of candidates trained for the necessary technical skills as well as a strong work ethic to be successful.”

According to the Center for Energy Workforce Development, the energy industry will replace roughly half of its engineers and skilled technicians by 2015. Anyone interested in the Utility Industry – electric, gas, internet, telephone, cable, etc. – will learn more about how to move toward tomorrow’s energy future at the open house.

“While all utilities use the same types of technology electrical utilities will undergo the most intense changes over the next decade,” said STC Electrical Utility Department Head Stephen Hopkins. “The industry is making strides to become cleaner, more efficient, and more usage driven than ever before. Candidates that can come into the job market knowing exactly what needs to be done with a clear understanding of the latest technologies will be ready to fill available jobs in the industry.”

Hopkins began his successful career in the utility industry with an associate’s degree. He then advanced his career by obtaining graduate and post graduate degrees through tuition refund plan offered by many organizations. Career pathways like Hopkins’ provide affordable opportunities for higher learning to everyone.

Open house attendees will have an opportunity to visit the College’s Electrical Utility laboratory and classroom facilities, meet current students and experience our new 3D Trainer technology, which projects holographic images of real industry scenarios in multiple educational modules for interactive training and education. Powell and Hopkins will be available to speak with prospective students at the open house.

About Savannah Tech’s Electrical Utility Technology:

Electricity is one of our nation’s most vital resources and it has changed dramatically during the last decade. Electric cooperatives and electric companies need employees to work with smart grid technology, power plants, transmission substations, and distribution across the region.

Savannah Tech’s Electrical Utility program is part of the sustainable technology movement at the College and is available for Learning Community opportunities with a number of courses and dedicated tutors. Electrical Utility Technology is offered at the Savannah campus. For more information, visit savannahtech.edu/IndustrialTechnology or contact Industrial Technology Academic Advisor at 912.443.5859.

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Electrical Utility Technology/Industrial Technology Academic Advisor:
Melanie Smith, 912.443.5512 or msmith@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1356 | April 10, 2013

SAVANNAH – In keeping with its leadership role in green technology instruction, Savannah Technical College today unveiled a 2013 Chevy Volt – the first alternative fuel vehicle in Southeast Georgia purchased exclusively for Automotive Technology instruction.

“Incorporating alternative fuel vehicle instruction in our classrooms is another example of the College’s commitment to teaching sustainable practices,” said Savannah Tech President Dr. Kathy Love. “The addition of the Chevy Volt to our Automotive Technology instructional vehicle fleet will enable our graduates to receive specialized training that will give them a competitive edge when they enter the job market.”

Love was joined in the announcement by Jane Vaden Thacher of the Vaden Automotive Group.

This alternative fuel car represents the type of technology that is poised to influence this sector of the automotive market for the next 10 to 15 years.By combining the internal combustion engine with an electric drive system and state-of-the-art battery management technology, the range of this vehicle has been extended beyond a purely gasoline engine.

“Alternative fuel vehicles and the equipment used to service these vehicles can be more expensive than others, so this type of training is often considered cost-prohibitive, despite the demand for trained technicians,” Ballard Jones, service manager for Vaden Automotive Group.“In fact, training facilities for Hybrid vehicles are limited, and the wait list could be up to nine months.”

Beginning this summer, Savannah Tech will offer specially designed training on the diagnosis and repair of these vehicles that will feature hands-on experience working with this new alternative fuel technology.The Volt also will be used in curriculum for Introduction to Automotive Technology, Electrical Systems, Brake Systems, Engine Performance, Suspension and Steering and Climate Control Systems. Job growth for the Automotive Technology industry, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), is expected to grow 17 percent during the next decade.

This vehicle was purchased locally through the Vaden Automotive Group, using grant funds awarded to Savannah Technical College.The grant’s goal is to strengthen student success across seven instructional programs (including Automotive Technology) through specialized training and the development of a sustainable technologies learning community. STC has received $500,000 in grant funds for the first two years of a five-year project from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Division. The College has been slated to receive a total of $1.25M for the grant.

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Media Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR: 912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1353 |  April 5, 2013

HINESVILLE –Savannah Technical College’s Liberty Campus now offers programs that are a cut above the rest. Liberty Campus hosted an open house for the community Thursday evening to showcase its new Cosmetology and Barbering suites.

“We are proud to offer complete programs in Liberty County for Cosmetology and Barbering in our newly renovated labs,” said Savannah Tech President Dr. Kathy Love. “The investment in these new suites is a great example of the partnership our College has with Liberty County for workforce development.”

The new suites were designed by Lott + Barber. The Cosmetology and Barbering suites share a retail entrance near the south parking lot of Liberty Campus. Cosmetology suite includes 17 cosmetology styling stations, six backwash shampoo stations, six hair dryers, two nail technician stations, two massage/facial stations and a demonstration lab. The Barbering suite includes 10 barbering stations, two shampoo stations and two hair dryers. The suites will be open to the public for services during class sessions.

“The cosmetology lab is the answer to the need for a laboratory in our local area to benefit local students,” said Savannah Technical College Board of Directors Chairman and Liberty County Board of Commissioners Chairman Donald Lovette. “These new suites for Cosmetology and Barbering enhance the collaboration between Savannah Technical College and the Liberty College and Career Academy to provide dual enrollment credits to local high school students. To the credit of the vision of the citizens of Liberty County, this ultra modern laboratory is tangible evidence of the value of the one cents sales tax dollars at work in our community.”

Cosmetology classes are offered for dual enrolled high school students and Savannah Tech’s adult students. Cosmetology students started meeting in the labs during spring semester. Barbering classes will be offered in the suites beginning summer semester.

The Cosmetology diploma includes specialized training in safety, sanitation, state laws, rules, and regulations, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, skin, hair, and nail diseases and disorders, hair treatments and manipulations, hair shaping, hair styling, artificial hair, braiding/intertwining hair, chemical reformation and application, skin and nail care, hair coloring, hair lightening, reception, sales, management, math, reading, writing, interpersonal relations development, computer skills, employability skills, and work ethics. The curriculum meets state licensing requirements of the State Board of Cosmetology. For more information contact Kim Cutter-Williams at 912-443-5780 or kcutter@savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Tech’s Barbering program prepares students to be on the cutting edge of men’s fashion and trends with training to test for licensure as a Professional Barber at Savannah Technical College. The Barbering Program features barbering services such as cutting, trimming, shampooing, styling hair, trimming beards and giving shaves. It is offered at Savannah Tech’s Savannah and Liberty campuses. For more information contact Barbering Instructor Joycelin Primus at jprimus@savannahtech.edu or visit www.savannahtech.edu/PublicServices.

Liberty Campus is one of the College’s two locations in Hinesville, Ga. The second location is at the Paul R. Smith Army Education Center at Fort Stewart. These two locations offer a wealth of programs that mirror today’s workplace needs for Liberty County. Both of these campuses offer morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, online, hybrid and/or web-enhanced classes.

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#1355 |  April 5, 2013

ATLANTA –DIRTT Environmental Solutions has been named Georgia Manufacturer of the Year in the small company category (150 or fewer employees). Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle presented the award this week at the annual awards luncheon for Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week.

DIRTT Environmental Solutions won the award for its “commitment to environmental sustainability, economic vitality and workforce excellence,” according to the remarks read when the award was announced. DIRTT Environmental Solutions was nominated by Savannah Technical College.

“I am so pleased that DIRTT was selected as Georgia’s Manufacturer of the Year in its size category,” said Savannah Tech President Dr. Kathy Love. “I can think of no company more deserving of this honor. The quality of DIRTT’s environmentally friendly product is only surpassed by the company’s commitment to its workforce.”

Founded in Canada in 2004, DIRTT chose Savannah, Ga., for its first U.S. manufacturing facility in 2009. The company’s name stands for “Doing it Right This Time.” And they do.

The company manufactures walls, doors, flooring and modular interiors that create flexible, contemporary spaces. They do it using materials and practices that reduce or eliminate waste — and make money. In five years, DIRTT doubled its revenue and prevented more than 65 million pounds of manufacturing waste from ending up in landfills.

“In the Calgary economy, we couldn’t find the workforce we needed; however, we were able to find skilled DIRTTbags in Savannah,” said Tracy Baker, DIRTT’s chief operating officer, accepting the award alongside a production and leadership team from DIRTT. “We’d like to thank the sponsors of this event for creating awareness and support in the youth and the manufacturing community that is essential as we move manufacturing back to North America. This award is a testament to the Savannah team’s efforts. Great job, DIRTTbags.”

Three manufacturers are chosen each year in categories based on the size of their employment. The other award winners were Southwire Company in Carrollton and Douglas (more than 500 employees), and Swainsboro’s Nordson Corporation (151-500 employees).

The annual awards luncheon, held in Atlanta this week, is the highlight of Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week, which is co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

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#1354 |  April 4, 2013

ATLANTA – Mina Smith, a third grader from Virginia L. Heard Elementary Academy in Savannah, Ga., took second place in the K-5 division of the 2013 Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design contest. She received a $300 scholarship check, presented by Lt. Gov. Cagle, at the MAW Governor’s Awards Luncheon held at the Georgia International Convention Center on April 3.

“These young students are our best and brightest, and our future in manufacturing depends on them,” said Larry Callahan, CEO of Patillo Industrial Real Estate, as the awards were presented.

Students from around the state submitted design entries featuring Georgia manufacturers and their products. Winners were named for grades 9-12, 6-8, and K-5. Smith won second place in a placemat design competition for elementary students.

During the ceremonies, Lt. Gov. Cagle named Georgia’s 2013 Manufacturers of the Year: Southwire Company in Carrollton and Douglas in the large manufacturer category (more than 500 employees); Nordson Corporation’s Swainsboro facility in the medium manufacturer category (150-500 employees); and Savannah’s DIRTT Environmental Solutions in the small manufacturer category (fewer than 150 employees).

The MAW Student Design Contest is held annually in conjunction with Manufacturers’ Appreciation Week and is designed to promote awareness of the important role manufacturing plays in the economy of the State of Georgia for elementary to high school students statewide. Co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the awards luncheon is the highlight of MAW, celebrated this year April 1-5. This is the 19th year celebrating Manufacturing Appreciation Week in Georgia.

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#1352 | April 3, 2013

College wins three gold, two silver and four bronze medals

SAVANNAH –Savannah Technical College students won nine gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2013 SkillsUSA Postsecondary State Conference, held March 21-23 at the Georgia International Convention ad Atlanta Technical College.

Savannah Tech students brought home three gold medals (first place): Marquisha Session, Nichelle Cruz and Christopher McLendon (Chapter Display); Amanda Allen (Technical Computer Application); and Shondai Dunbar (Nursing Assisting).

LeAndra Ortiz (Technical computer Applications) and Shannon Marsh (Early Childhood Education) won silver medals or second place. There were four championship categories in which students won bronze medals or third place: David Jackson, Richard Lamb, Rodolfo Hille, Amara Kone and Fergus Kelley (Quiz Bowl); Joseph Rowlett (Automotive Finishing); Amber Wasson (Architectural Drafting); and Alma Dixon and Davie Kennard (Website Design).

Students from across the state of Georgia took part in the three-day competition. SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs.

More than 500 college students take part in the state competition. Savannah Tech’s gold winners in each category will move on to compete on a national level at the 49th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 23-27, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo.

SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. At the heart of this mission are SkillsUSA’s core values: integrity, responsibility, citizenship, service and respect.

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Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or  ashaffer@savannahtech.edu