ELECTRICAL UNION TO DISPLAY SOLAR TRAILER, DONATE TEXTBOOKS TO BARRE TECH CENTER
Barre, Vt. – (Oct. 19, 2009) – Loaded with nearly 150 textbooks for area students, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300’s mobile solar trailer will visit the Spaulding High School-Barre Technical Center campus October 20 at 11 a.m.
IBEW Local 300 hosts a five-year electrical apprenticeship, as well as Vermont’s only intensive, year-round solar photovoltaic training for electricians. A primary showpiece for the solar program, the trailer boasts a 1-kilowatt solar array, 32-inch LCD television, Nintendo Wii and custom artwork. The textbooks have an estimated total value of over $5,000 and will be donated to the technical center’s electrical construction class. They cover many topics, including electrical systems, grounding and bonding, digital electronics, motors, instrumentation, AC and DC theory, blueprint reading and fire alarm systems.
“We are honored to donate best-in-class learning materials and bring our solar trailer to the Barre Technical Center, an institution that for 40 years has provided youngsters with the necessary foundational skills to pursue post-secondary training,” said IBEW Local 300 Training Director Jean Watkins. “Hopefully, our presence on campus will educate students about rewarding, environmentally responsible careers in the building trades and entice them to pursue an IBEW electrical apprenticeship upon graduation.”
The Barre Technical Center serves students from Cabot, Harwood, Spaulding, Twinfield and U-32 high schools. Juniors and seniors can enroll in specialized programs for automotive technology, building trades, computer technologies, cosmetology, culinary arts, digital media, health science and human services. In its second year, there are currently 14 students taking the electrical class, instructed by Ed Stout.
“Our electrical course has been a great addition to the options we have here. Enrollment has doubled in just one year. The support of community and industry partners such as IBEW Local 300 is what moves our program to the next level,” said Barre Technical Center Director Penny Chamberlin. “We are forging ahead with research in renewable energy sources – wind, solar and generator power. The IBEW’s solar trailer will compliment our rigorous curriculum.”
IBEW Local 300 representative Matt Lash – a Spaulding graduate and Barre native – and fifth-year electrical apprentice Ed Bonoyer will present the books and lead tours of the trailer at the 155 Ayers St. campus. Members of the media and the community are invited to attend.