(Students may take up to 5 years to complete the program)
This program provides the option to complete the 2-year equivalent diploma or exit with a certificate upon completion of the first year. The certificate level courses cover a broad range of topics in renewable energy alternatives (solar, wind, bio-fuel, and geothermal sources), energy use and availability, energy audits, conservation practices and environmental issues such as climate change.
The diploma level courses are geared more to individuals seeking a career in renewable energy focusing on renewable energy system design, system installation or integration of multiple renewable energy systems. In addition, topics of water management and green building design are also introduced.
Courses are delivered online at designated times during the year. At the diploma level, students who have completed all online courses are required to attend an on-site lab at the Renewable Energy Learning Centre located on the Vermilion, Alberta campus to gain hands-on experience with systems. This one-week lab is offered annually putting the theory developed in the on-line courses into practice.
Program Requirements:
- Access to internet
- An aptitude towards math and physics and an interest in the environment.
- Ability to commit 10 to 15 hours per week per course.
- Be prepared to submit course work and complete examinations within the timelines.
- Students must register at least two weeks before the course start date to guarantee delivery of textbooks and resource materials.
- Students entering the program without a high school diploma may not qualify for transferability of credit to some other postsecondary programs.
The courses are only available online via a distance delivery format.
Program Delivery:
Courses are offered two at a time for eight weeks each, with the assistance of a facilitator. Participants may enrol full-time and follow the sequence of courses or enroll part-time and take selected courses of interest as long as prerequisite requirements are followed.
Note: RC 200 Basic Energy Principals is considered to be the entrance point for the program and a prerequisite necessary before taking RC 204 , RC 205 or RC 206 . RC 204 can be taken as a co-requisite with RC 200 .
Graduation Requirements:
Students completing the required certificate-level requirements with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 will be awarded a Sustainable Energy Technician certificate.
Students who successfully complete all required courses for the certificate and diploma level courses and with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 will be awarded a Sustainable Energy Technology diploma.
When you have completed all the diploma courses, you are required to attend an on-site lab on our Vermilion campus (RC 431 ).
Career Opportunities:
Employment opportunities are developing as the renewable energy industry develops and expands. Strong growth has occurred in the renewable sector recently due, in part, to recent policy changes. The growth is observed across Canada and world-wide. Employment opportunities are varied and include equipment sales, installation,customer support, maintenance and repair, working with government and policy planning for developing of renewable projects, and working with homeowners and businesses to determine the potential costs and benefits of installations. Many Students have explored entrepreneurial opportunities.
Opportunities for further study:
Graduates of the diploma program with a 2.7 gpa or higher can directly transfer into NAIT’s Bachelor of Technology degree program.
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