Alamo Colleges provides world-class education and training that responds to the requirements of emerging industries.  The Alamo Colleges’ Green Jobs Training Institute offers a wide-variety of options including short-term training courses for workers interested in beginning a new career, as well as courses for workers needing to enhance their skills to be competitive in today’s job market.  Alamo Colleges is currently working with San Antonio ISD to develop dual credit and potential summer camp programs designed to bring green educational opportunities to the city’s youth.

Alamo Colleges intends to offer courses at Mission Verde Center that best align with the desires of the center partners and physical assets at the center, such as the Texas A & M Solar Decathlon House.  The full array of short-term training and education options that may be offered at the Mission Verde Center are described below. 

Short-term Training: Courses include programs in four green industry clusters:

• Building Performance and Energy Retrofitting
• Including Building Weatherization, Green Construction, Energy Auditor, Green Real Estate Inspector, and Introduction to Lead and Asbestos Abatement
• Renewable Energy
• Including Solar Photovoltaic Technician
• Water Conservation and Management
• Including Irrigation Maintenance Technician, Rainwater Harvesting Technician, Tap Water and Storm Water Treatment Technician
• Environmental Preservation
• Certified Arborist, Non-toxic Chemical and Emergency Preparedness Technician

Energy for the Futures Park: As part the Mission Verde center, Alamo Colleges is developing an Energy for the Futures Park and demonstration events to build public school student and community awareness of the advantages of solar and other renewable energy applications. Modular multimedia educational systems and simulation units will allow the Energy for the Futures Park to “take to the road,” bringing high interest, hands-on education experiences on solar energy into classrooms, after school programs and community-based events. 

Green Degree Programs: To complement short term training programs, Alamo Colleges provides career ladder opportunities to Associate of Applied Science Degree Programs in both Advanced Water Treatment at Northwest Vista College and Alternative Energy and Power Generation at St. Philip’s College.  This two-year program of studies will anchor a Center of Excellence designed to prepare the Green Technicians for Wind and Solar operations of the future.

Mission Verde Center Contact:            

Anson Green
512-485-0259
www.alamo.edu/greenjobs

San Antonio Youth Centers' mission is to develop the character, strengths, talents and skills of San Antonio’s high-risk urban youth through fun, safe experiences, positive learning environments, and holistic programs that inspire each individual to fulfill their potential—personally and in the community.  SAYC runs a $4 million dollar budget annually. 

The SAYC YouthBuild Construction Corps (C-Corps) program has been running successfully for five years, providing comprehensive education, leadership development, case management, job training and a construction program for low-income high school dropouts ages 16 to 24.  As part of their YouthBuild C-Corps training program, SAYC has begun a green building effort (YouthBuild Verde) that will provide affordable homes for low-income, first-time homebuyers. These homes will be built in accordance with Build San Antonio Green requirements and be LEED certified.

Last year, SAYC added a second component to their YouthBuild program, the Technology Corps (T-Corps) through Americorps funding.  YouthBuild T-Corps provides academic recovery, community service and computer refurbishing for low-income families through member training.  This summer, SAYC will add a third component, the Environmental Corps (E-Corps) through federal Green Capacity funding.  This program will also engage students in an academic recovery program through SAISD while providing training in local green industries.  These YouthBuild Corps programs are important to the green-capacity building efforts. SAYC provides evidence-based approaches, tested innovations relative to structure and process, a successful history of YouthBuild experience and an exceptional team with more than 200 years of collective experience. 

Mission Verde Center Contact:            

Wanda Perkins
210-223-3131 ext. 210

The Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a member of The Texas A&M University System with a mission to identify and conduct research in areas critical to the state's economic development and quality of life, promote new technology and entrepreneurship, leverage and network human, physical, and financial resources, and enhance and strengthen education in Texas. The Texas Center for Applied Technology (TCAT), a TEES center, promotes economic growth and enhanced quality of life by implementing a spectrum of activities including basic and applied research, development and prototyping, and application to enable economic benefit and technology development throughout Texas and the Nation.

Mission Verde Center Contact:             

Dr. Matt Koch, P.E.
Sr. Research Engineer
210-633-2427 ext. 225

The City of San Antonio’s Office of Environmental Policy is playing a key role in establishing the Center and will oversee the management of the Federal grant funds going into the project to upgrade the facility.  This City office facilitates and guides the City’s efforts in implementing the Mission Verde Plan.  In addition to several the Mission Verde Plan elements, the OEP is specifically spearheading over $25 Million worth of grant funded sustainability projects in the areas of City facility efficiency improvements, City renewable energy applications, community green retrofit programs, a series of transportation enhancement initiatives, plus a low income weatherization program.
 
Mission Verde Center Contact:            

W. Laurence Doxsey
210.207.6103
http://www.sanantonio.gov/oep/

CPS Energy is providing professional and financial support for energy efficiency upgrades to the SAISD James Fennimore Cooper middle school facility that will be the Mission Verde research, education, and training center.  In addition, CPS Energy will provide Smart Metering, including sub-meters to track and evaluate energy consumption from several independent systems.   CPS Energy will continue to evaluate research and development opportunities at the Mission Verde center, as well as support training and development programs where the interests of the citizens of San Antonio are best served.

Mission Verde Center Contact:     

Paula Miles, Director of Energy Research and Technology Initiatives
210-353-2652
145 Navarro St.  Mail Drop #410101
San Antonio, TX 78296-1771

In support of the Mission Verde Center goals of demonstrating and evaluating innovative new technology in water conservation, SAWS will utilize Mission Verde Center space to evaluate equipment and promote projects that achieve a “water balance” between available reclaim water and desired discretionary uses.  SAWS will promote the Mission Verde Center by; occasionally including highlights in the “WaterNews” SAWS’ bill insert; provide a link to the Mission Verde website on the SAWS website; include a listing of special events that may take place at the Mission Verde Center on the SAWS event calendar, and in the SAWS weekly WaterSaver eNewsletter.

Mission Verde Center Contacts:     

Phil A. Weynand
Residential, Commercial, and Manufacturing Indoor Water Conservation
210-233-3653

Dana Nichols
Residential and Commercial Outdoor Water Conservation
(210) 233-3656