October 02, 2015
Second Regional Energy Forum set for Oct. 23
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Career and education opportunities in the ever-evolving energy sector are the subjects of the next Regional Energy Forum, set for later this month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The forums, which began in September, are sponsored by the Advanced Coal and Energy Research Center and are designed to bring together interested parties to explore issues and solutions for the future. Organizers also hope the forums provide inspiration and resources to create energy initiatives and jobs in the region.
The second forum is set for noon, Oct. 23, in the Student Center’s Thebes Room. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. with lunch available at that time. The event is free and open to the public, with a box lunch provided for everyone who registers. You can register here.
ACERC organizers aim to develop a regional resource center to help meet the challenges of the energy industry. To do so, they hope to determine the basic skills and knowledge that all employees should have, and develop areas of study and career tracks for students in community college or a university. They also hope to identify job placement channels based on feedback.
The group also wants to determine common and specialized areas of research and collaboration interest and match those to faculty. They anticipate further tasks emerging as the group evolves.
Panelists at this latest forum will provide brief presentations in their areas of expertise and then answer questions from the moderator and the audience. Panelists for the upcoming forum include:
- Kanchan Mondal, professor of mechanical engineering and energy processes and current director of the master’s program in professional science and advanced energy and fuels management
- Geory Kurtzhals, SIU sustainability coordinator
- Betsy Miller, workforce planning and development manager for Ameren
Follow ACERCE at @SIUEnergy