DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - July 7, 2010) - Education Corporation of America, a leading owner and operator of private higher education institutions in the United States, announced that Ecotech Institute kicked off its first day of coursework today. Ecotech Institute, based in Aurora, Colorado, is the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design. The school's first class of students began their journey today as people of all ages dashed into classrooms, teachers passed out syllabi and Ecotech backpacks filled the hallways.
"Our announcement to launch in the Denver metro area was met with great enthusiasm, but today marks a greater step to becoming a part of the community," says Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. "Our students can be proud to say that they were in the inaugural class in the first school of its kind."
Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, is launching with seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills that are highly valued by today's renewable energy employers, including:
- Electrical Engineering Technology, Associate of Applied Science
- Energy and Environmental Paralegal, Associate of Applied Science
- Energy Efficiency, Associate of Applied Science
- Environmental Technology, Associate of Applied Science
- Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
- Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
- Sustainable Interior Design, Certificate Program
- Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science
In order to ensure students will graduate with the most practical knowledge and skills in the renewable energy and sustainable design industries, Ecotech Institute tapped industry experts and leaders to co-develop the academic curriculum and serve as advisors.
"Our curriculum blends hands-on experience with the progressive knowledge required for working in today's cleantech jobs," adds Glenn Wilson, dean of students at Ecotech Institute and curriculum contributor. "Today is symbolic of the positive outlook that teachers, faculty, employers and the community have on the future of green jobs."
Classes launched today in Ecotech Institute's temporary facility in Aurora at Iliff and I-225. However, the transformation has begun on an existing large footprint building in Aurora that will open in January. The new campus will be a LEED-certified training facility with cutting-edge labs and technology-savvy classrooms. In addition to bringing the building up to LEED standards, Ecotech will also transform the vacant commercial building into a community asset.
To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com. The next round of classes begins in October 2010 and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.
Editor: Faculty and Student Interviews Available
About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers seven associate's degrees and a certificate program designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/.
About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of over 19,000 students. The ECA website is http://www.ecacolleges.com/. Schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in sixteen different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta and Macon, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is http://www.vc.edu/. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida. Information about online classes at Virginia College is available at www.vconline.edu. Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Golf Academy website is www.golfacademy.edu.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Morrison Shafroth
CSG|PR
720-470-3653