New class at CTC has potential to save area industry thousands in energy costs

For large businesses and institutions, energy costs often exceed thousands or tens of thousands of dollars per month. Lowering that cost just a few percentage points can pay big dividends, and in these economic times it can spell the difference between profit and loss. That’s why a new energy conservation class at Cape’s Career and Technology Center (CTC) is full to capacity.

According to Kathleen Clayton, Supervisor of Business & Industry Training at the CTC, participants in the class save an average of $12,000 per facility per year. She said the training also improves comfort and safety, in addition to saving money.

The training offers nationally recognized Building Operator Certification (BOC) for operations and maintenance staff at commercial and institutional buildings. BOC training consists of seven courses covering building systems, energy-conservation techniques, heating and cooling systems, lighting, environmental health and safety regulations, indoor air quality, and electrical systems.

The training includes classroom study, small group exercises, open-book exams and project assignments based on the participants' own facilities. Participants receive 56 hours of classroom training and complete five in-facility projects, each requiring approximately two hours of work outside the classroom. Participants must pass an exam at the end of each day of training and complete assigned projects.

Several area institutions and industries are enrolled in the initial class, including employees from Southeast Hospital, Nordenia USA, Spartech Plastics, West Park Mall, Procter & Gamble Paper Products, Cape Girardeau Public Schools, Notre Dame Regional High School, Jackson R2 Public Schools, Southeast Missouri State University, Havco Wood Products, Biokyowa, and Riceland Foods. The first class began in mid-April and concludes in October. The Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center is receiving funding from the Southeast Missouri WIRED Initiative to cover the tuition and meal costs for the training attendees.

The BOC program is sponsored through a cooperative effort of the Energy Center of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and AmerenUE.

For additional information or if you are interested in enrolling in future BOC trainings at the CTC, contact Kathleen Clayton at the Cape Girardeau CTC at 573.334.0826 ext. 113.

The Building Operator Certification class at Cape’s Career and Technology Center could save thousands in energy costs. The class is at full capacity, but more classes are being scheduled.