New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is thrilled to announce the launch of the province’s first Wind & Solar Energy Technician program at our Saint John campus and welcome our first cohort in September 2025. This innovative two-year program aims to meet the growing demand for workers in the green-energy sector, reflecting NBCC’s commitment to driving social and economic well-being through education—preparing our learners for in-demand careers. Jeff McAloon co-owner of Quispamsis-based Smart Energy Company, shared in a recent interview with allNewBrunswick that his solar business has had to search “far-and-wide” to fill its positions. New Brunswick employers, like Jeff, can look no further, as the first graduating class will be skilled, experienced professionals ready to thrive in the renewable energy sector right here at home.
With the renewable energy industry growing, this program offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for New Brunswick and beyond. Applications for the program opened in October 2024, with a capacity to admit 25 students annually. Like most of our programs, the Wind & Solar Energy Technician program provides a hands-on experience guided by industry experts, ensuring graduates are job ready—as seen in our graduate employment stats*!
In a short two years, graduates of the program will be well-equipped with the technical expertise and problem-solving abilities industry employers seek. The first year focuses on foundational instruction in electrical engineering and electronics, the same coursework as our Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician certificate program. In the second year, learners will dive into wind and solar energy systems covering topics such as operating, maintaining, testing, and troubleshooting in both field and simulated environments. Students will also have a chance to take advantage of a co-op placement to further gain valuable real-world experience, bridging the gap between education and employment.
This new initiative would not have been possible without the generosity of our community partners. A $500,000 donation from Irving Oil Ltd. will provide new tools for experiential learning and establish a bursary program to help remove financial barriers for students pursuing an energy-related program at NBCC, such as Electrical Engineering Technology, Power Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Applied Energy Management. Additionally, a $550,000 investment from the RBC Foundation will support the introduction of a virtual reality lab. These gifts aim to provide an immersive experience for students while they gain the practical skills required in operating and maintaining renewable energy systems.
There is no better time than now for this program: New Brunswick’s energy roadmap, released in 2023, targets a fivefold increase in wind and solar capacity over the next 12 years. This will create unprecedented opportunities for skilled professionals. “NBCC has been hearing from the wind and solar industry for a couple of years about how the demand for technicians has grown,” said Jodi Stringer, Dean of NBCC’s School of Engineering Technologies. “Now, with the province’s energy roadmap and the generous support from community partners, we are thrilled to offer this opportunity to learners looking to create a meaningful impact within the sustainable energy sector.”
Be part of transforming lives and communities! Apply to NBCC and take the first step toward an exciting career in renewable energy while shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Jodi Stringer, Dean of NBCC’s School of Engineering Technologies, shares details here in an interview with CBC. A special thank you to CBC’s Information Morning – Saint John host, Emily Brass, for highlighting the importance of our new Wind & Solar Energy Technician program.
*As part of a 2023 survey regarding 2022 graduates, it was found that 94% of NBCC’s 2022 graduates secured employment within a year, with 92% finding work within New Brunswick.
