The Employ Florida Banner Centers are developed to enhance Florida’s economic development efforts by providing training for workers (entry, advanced and skills upgrades) in high value industries caused by changes in markets or technologies. The Banner Center concept requires a collaborative effort between recognized experts in the selected industry, the educational providers, representatives from the industry and/or industry associations, the local business development council and the regional workforce board.

The Alternative Energy Banner Center was created in February 2008 by Workforce Florida, Inc. to make alternative energy training available throughout Florida.

This Banner Center will initially focus on the areas of solar thermal (solar water heating and pool heating) and photovoltaics (solar electricity). Both programs are intended for students, regardless of skill level.

Organization

The lead organization to meet the training goal is the Florida Solar Energy Center, a research, training and education organization of the University of Central Florida.

FSEC’s partners that will conduct the training are:

• Brevard Community College, Cocoa, FL
• Westside Tech, Orlando, FL
• Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, FL
• Broward Community College, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 

Other partners include:

• Brevard Workforce Board
• Florida Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation