BESP Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certificate

The Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certificate is developed to offer students a broad overview into the energy conservation industry and includes cross disciplinary courses in Energy Systems, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Architecture, Computer Information Systems, and Building Inspection Technology. The completion of the ZNE Certificate is especially advantages for support staff currently working in the energy sector and when combined with other defined certificates within the ZNE industry, students will have the technical background that can lead to industry recognized credentials and careers as an Energy Auditor, Energy Consultant, ZNE Technician, Green HVAC Technician, Facility Management, Construction Management and Solar Residential Technician.

Occupational

The goal for the Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certificate of Achievement is to provide the student with the entry level skills, knowledge, abilities and other characteristics to successfully enter and succeed in sustainable building science industry.

Building and Energy Systems Professional (BESP) The Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certificate of Achievement is both an entry level certificate and the core of the BESP Meta Major. The Zero Net Energy is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the energy conservation field, typically at the entry level. This program is intended to meet the needs of those students who do not wish to immediately pursue a higher degree but desire to enter the energy conservation field directly. This ZNE Certificate of Achievement would not prevent a student from further study toward the Associate Degree in BESP if the Associate Degree is their chosen path. The completion of this certificate brings the student closer to completion of an Associate Degree in BESP, as well as, positioning him/her to be able to begin immediate employment while still enrolled as a student. The ZNE Certificate provides a quicker graduation route than the AS degree in Building and Energy Systems Professional that is currently in development. The focus of this proposed Zero Net Energy Certificate of Achievement also directly supports a major economic driving force in the Temecula Valley, San Jacinto, Menifee Valley, and San Gorgonio and the surrounding areas, namely the area of energy. 

The Zero Net Energy Certificate is developed to offer students a broad overview into the energy conservation industry and includes cross disciplinary courses in Energy Systems, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration, Architecture, and Building Inspection Technology. The completion of the ZNE Certificate is especially advantageous for support staff currently working in the energy sector. When combined with other defined certificates within the ZNE industry, students will have the technical background that can lead to industry recognized credentials and careers as an Energy Auditor, Energy Consultant, ZNE Technician, Green HVAC Technician, Facility Management, Construction Management and Solar Residential Technician. The Zero Net Energy Certificate of Achievement is the result of substantial input from the College’s ZNE Advisory Committee, student recommendations, and the suggestions from a wide variety of leaders within the local energy industry. It is seen as an important companion piece to our future associate degrees in Building and Energy Systems Professional Employment Preparation. In addition, this certificate is aligned to help meet the goals of the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (CEESP) which mandates that 100 percent of all new homes in California will be Zero Net Energy starting in 2020 and 50 percent of commercial buildings by 2030. As a Vocational program, the Zero Net Energy Certificate of Achievement falls within the primary mission of the California Community College and the CCC Mission Statement--“The California community College system shall, as a primary mission, offer vocational instruction at the lower division level….” [From California education code section 666010.4 (a)]

Mt. San Jacinto College Mission Statement: “Mt. San Jacinto College offers quality, accessible, equitable and innovative educational programs and services to students aspiring to achieve their academic, career and personal development goals.

We provide students a safe environment in which to pursue basic skills, career and general education pathways. Our programs lead to transfer, associate degrees and certificates, which meet workforce development needs in our diverse communities.

Our commitment to learning and achievement empowers students to enrich our communities and participate meaningfully in today’s complex world.” [Approved by the Board of Trustees on January 19,2017]