Jun. 18--Preparing people for "greencollar" jobs is the emphasis of a new program at Alamance Community College.

The college isn't the only school in Alamance County focused on efforts to improve the environment. Faculty and staff members at Elon University are moving into Lindner Hall, the latest example of a "green building" on that campus.

At the community college, look for solar-related technology and maybe a wind turbine on campus to help prepare students for careers that relate to new approaches to energy creation.

"These programs train students to be wind-turbine mechanics, solar-panel installers, fuel-cell engineers or energyefficiency experts," said the college's executive vice president, Barry Weinberg.

Two courses that are part of the program will be offered at Alamance Community College this fall. One is an introductory course that focuses on using renewable energy and reducing bad effects of development on the environment. The other will focus on conservation and analysis of energy use.

OTHER COURSES THE college will offer include more-detailed instruction on converting sunlight, wind and water into energy.

Weinberg said the program has been approved by the college's board of trustees and approval from the state community college system is expected soon. Students who complete 12 to 18 credit hours would earn a certificate in Alternative Energy Technology. The program will be part of the college's industrial technology program.

He said students who complete the program should be ready for related jobs or to transfer to four-year schools that offer degrees in alternative/sustainable energy.

Thecollegeispursuingdonations of money and equipment to help launch the program. Weinberg said anyone interested in making a contribution can call him at 506-4154. He said potential students interested in the program should call 506-4157.

Weinberg said he's hopeful the program will result in the use of solar energy on campus that reduces the use of electricity.

AT ELON UNIVERSITY , there have been widespread efforts toward being environmentally friendly. Those include more-efficient energy use in academic buildings and dorms and reducing waste in dining halls, along with campus buses that run on biofuel and diesel and renting hybrid cars to students.

Elaine Durr, the university's sustainability coordinator, said thenewestbuildingoncampus is also the "greenest." Lindner Hall is part of Elon's Academic Village, a complex of buildings thatincludesclassrooms,study areas, lounges and office space. Most of the metal, wood and other construction waste from the building is being recycled, and the building includes steel and tile made partly of recycled material.

The building will rely partly on solar energy and rooms have individual climate controls designed to cut down on energy use for light, heating and air conditioning.

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