Educating Technicians for Building Automation and Sustainability

对具有传统技能以及编程、网络和系统集成知识经验的技术人员的需求是有理有据的，能够管理控制的技术人员为社区大学毕业生提供了一个新兴的、迅速扩大的高薪就业市场。缺乏合格的楼宇自动化系统技术人员是商业楼宇快速实现能效、温室气体减排和可持续发展目标的最大障碍之一。该项目建立在以前的努力基础上，旨在提高技术人员的教育水平，以应对当今建筑能效方面的挑战。正在开发建筑自动化和可持续性领域的课程，并将提供一个新的建筑自动化副学士学位课程，以填补学位课程的关键空白。该项目涉及与国家ATE中心、工业界和四年制院校的广泛合作。建筑科学和可持续发展高中暑期物理课程正在扩大，教师培训部分正在通过该项目增加。该项目的成果正在全国范围内进行严格评价和传播。

The need for technicians with traditional skill sets as well as with experience in programming, networking, and systems integration knowledge is well-documented and technicians who can manage controls present an emerging and rapidly expanding market of high-wage employment for community college graduates. The lack of technicians qualified in building automation systems constitutes one of the greatest barriers to rapidly implementing energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainability targets in commercial buildings. This project builds on previous efforts aimed at upgrading technician education to meet today's challenges for energy efficiency in buildings. Courses are being developed in the area of building automation and sustainability and a new associate's degree program will be offered in building automation, filling a critical gap in degree offerings. The project involves extensive collaboration with national ATE centers, with industry, and with four-year institutions. A Physics for Building Science and Sustainability high school summer program is being expanded and a teacher training component is being added through this project. Results from the project are being rigorously evaluated and disseminated on a national scale.