Electrical Engineering Technology, AAS

Note: If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college/university, work with a KCC advisor to learn your options. This degree is not part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative statewide transfer agreement. However, many universities make it possible to continue on to a bachelor’s degree with minimal disruption.

This program or some of its classes will prepare you for a credential after completion.

Job and Career info

Solar and wind technology jobs continue to grow or hold steady.

Wind - In 2014, the American wind energy industry installed 4,854 megawatts (MW), nearly five times more than the industry installed in 2013. The U.S. now has an installed wind capacity of 65,879 MW. There are more than 12,700 MW of wind currently under construction. Source: U.S. Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2014 Market Report, American Wind Energy Association.

Solar - Over the last five years covered by the Solar Foundations National Solar Jobs Census, solar employment has grown by 86%. The 2014 Census found that the industry continues to exceed growth expectations, growing nearly 20 times faster than the overall economy. The U.S. solar industry currently employs over 174,000 Americans. Wages paid to solar workers remain competitive with similar industries. Including indirect and induced impacts, the solar industry supports approximately 700,000 U.S. jobs. The solar industry expects to add more than 36,000 solar jobs in the next year. Source: National Solar Jobs Census 2014, The Solar Foundation, See also: National Solar Jobs Census 2015, The Solar Foundation Job boards.

American Clean Power Association
Solar Energy Industries Association
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Illinois Solar Energy Association

More job info

KCC provides this space to connect renewable energy employers and KCC renewable energy program graduates. To share a job opening or share your career information, please contact Professor Clay Sterling,

Jacob Schultz

Jacob graduated from KCC in 2011, earning an AAS in Electrical Technology degree with a double focus in Renewable Energy Technology and Industrial Maintenance. He pursued a career in the industrial wind industry and landed a technician job with Repower USA in Goodland, Ind.

After one year Jacob transferred to GE Wind in Dwight as a troubleshooter and repair technician on 1.5MW ESS turbines. While working for GE he obtained experience in a broad range of tasks:

• Troubleshooting
• High voltage power circuits
• Low voltage control circuits
• Hydraulics
• Computer networking
• Programmable logic controls
• Large crane work for main gearbox exchanges
• Pitch motor and drive replacements with a hub crane

He also acquired experience as a lead technician managing 7-15 other technicians.

In 2013, Jacob obtained another AAS degree in Management from KCC. He gives a lot of credit to the hands-on training, quality instructors and great mentoring provided by KCC and which have helped him advance in his career.

Jacob sees renewable energy career opportunities all around him. When asked what his plans are, he responds, "I'm just going to see where the wind takes me, literally and figuratively."

Paul Foote

After graduating from KCC in 2012 with an AAS degree in Electrical Technology with a Renewable Energy focus, Paul transferred to the University of Illinois.

Here's information on Paul from 2013:

He is studying Technical System Management in U of I's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Renewable Energy. Paul chose the University of Illinois for the world-class education and wide range of subject matter available to study. As Paul states:

"The diverse cultural experience provides great insight into the world economy and business opportunities available. Accomplishing a degree at the University of Illinois is going to be challenging and that has always motivated me. I love a challenge."

Searching for a way to express his desire to make a difference in the world, Paul took a full-time student academic position at U of I's Sustainability Facilities and Services Department. In his work there, Paul does the following:

• Assists in maintaining the Illinois Climate Action Plan Portal
• Researches, develops and initiates new sustainability projects for U of I, following up with architect, engineering and planning phases of projects
• Participates in feasibility studies and requests for proposal, tracking down time-critical information, such as efficient land use criteria, investment tax credits, production tax credits, and national & industry statistics
• Researches and verifies grant eligibility and availability for rainwater harvesting, solar installation, boiler tune-up, wind, bio mass, fuel cells, solar thermal, sewer/storm water, conservation, foundations, and sustainability projects
• Completed research, documentation collection and application process for Perry Chapman Prize, identifying contacts, application procedures, and timeframes, and corresponding with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Paul sums up his job so far: "The experience has been amazing!" Paul is volunteering on the Student Sustainability Committee energy working group, developing and coordinating the inaugural University of Illinois Campus Conservation Nationals competition. He designed and is project manager for the campus electric vehicle-charging project.

Paul has been an active member of the Illini Veterans Registered Student Organization, helping raise money for the Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education and other local charities.

Accreditations

KCC is the only solar-PV training program in the state of Illinois and one of only three in the 18-state region that is accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).

IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council) is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1982. IREC develops renewable energy consensus-based standards to promote best practices and provide a benchmark for effective and safe workforce training practices.

KCC is a member of the Midwest Solar Training Network, a group of technical and community colleges, non-profit organizations, universities, and industry partners who are working together to build solar training capacity in the Midwest.