College Employee Among Industry Experts Named to National Panel
By: Jayne Ann Bugda
Updated: March 13, 2013
The director of the National Sustainable Structures Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology has been appointed to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Standards Committee, tasked with ensuring that training credentials continue to reflect industry needs.
John E. Manz is one of seven charter members of the committee, which will shepherd this year's development of revised standards to promote a safe and effective renewable-energy and energy-efficiency workforce.
"IREC has gathered a committee of the top experts in the country representing all parties that are part of the clean energy workforce framework," said IREC President/Chief Executive Officer Jane Weissman. "With a common commitment to quality, the committee will provide guidance and assurance that our standards are the best in advancing quality training and workforce safeguards."
Requirements established by the American National Standards Institute will guide the committee's activities. Key elements of the process will include balance, transparency and openness in all phases of standards development. The committee will facilitate IREC's compliance with those requirements and demonstrate industry consensus.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for John and the college," said Tracy L. Brundage, assistant vice president for workforce and economic development. "With this appointment, John's technical expertise, unrivaled understanding of energy efficiency in both commercial and residential structures, and reputation for getting a job done are recognized on a national level. We look forward to positive contributions John will make on the standards to improve the safety, efficiency and training credentials of this industry."
The panel represents a diverse group of stakeholder categories, including energy-efficiency and renewable-energy organizations, private-sector employers, the trades, and educational institutions.
Manz is joined by Richard Knaub, chair of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Brian Hayden, HeatSpring Learning Institute; Ryan Mayfield, Renewable Energy Associates, LLC/Lane Community College; Harold C. Ohde, Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 134; Sydney G. Roberts, Southface Energy Institute; and Weissman.
Additional members have been invited from qualified organizations that have an interest in (or are materially affected by) IREC's standards activities.
IREC is a nonprofit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1982. Since 2005, IREC has provided a foundation for the growing clean-energy workforce through the credentialing of trainers and training programs and through the development of quality standards. For more information, visit www.irecusa.org.
NSSC - online at www.pct.edu/nssc - provides training and technical assistance to government, industry, students and the public regarding building science and energy conservation.
