The Connecticut Community College System’s Sustainable Operations: Alternative and Renewable (SOAR) Energy Initiative was funded by a three-year, $2 million U.S. Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training Grant in 2009. The goals:

• Eight certificate programs focusing on sustainable operations in different subject areas will be created
• Five SOAR Regional Coordinators will provide academic and career counseling to SOAR students and train state One-Stop Career Center staff and high school counselors about SOAR programs
• 320 students will graduate from a SOAR program during the three-year duration of the grant
• 85% of SOAR graduates will enter employment.

The SOAR grant is led by Project Director Shelly Jewell at the Connecticut Community College System Office, assisted by Project Assistant Tammalene Mitman and, at the colleges, by SOAR Regional Coordinators and Program Directors. The SOAR Project Advisory Council, which consists of representatives from many of SOAR’s partners, also provides oversight and guidance for the project.

Funded in part by a Community-Based Job Training Grant,
as implemented by the USDOL Employment & Training Administration.