WATERVILLE — The Plum Creek Foundation recently awarded a $2,500 grant to Mid-Maine Technical Center to help fund the addition of a new course to the electrical technology program. The center offers courses to high school juniors and seniors in preparation for job placements and postsecondary education, according to MMTC press release.

According to Peter Hallen, center director, the two-year electrical technology program includes electrical I and electrical II, which teach the fundamentals of commercial and residential wiring. The new course, introduction to solar photovoltaic energy, will expand the curriculum and appeal to students with a wider range of interests.”The electrical technology program provides students with opportunities beyond the textbook,” said Hallen in the release. “Thanks to the help of the Plum Creek Foundation, we can offer students real-world experiences in the field of solar energy.”

The electrical technology program serves 36 students and provides them with the Maine Electrical Helper’s License, eight college credits and numerous other certifications. The grant will go directly to purchasing the equipment and metering needed for students to design and install a permanent photovoltaic system.

The center is a regional technical center that provides 24 career and technical courses to four area high schools in the Waterville area. For more information, visit mmtc.me or facebook.com/mmtcme.