Developing A Pacific Northwest Smarter Grid

Workforce A Case Study in Regional Collaboration

For Workforce DevelopmentIn Clean Energy

Northwest Hydroelectric Association2011 Annual Conference, Feb 22, 2011

“A Centralia College Partnership”Barbara Hins-Turner, Executive Director

Designated Center of Excellence

for the Energy Industry

Vision

Become National Model to develop partnerships between

Business Industry Education Organized Labor Workforce System Economic Development

Mission

Liaison between partners and the state’s education system to:

Drive the energy economy Create highly skilled workforce Provide consistent curriculum Meet Industry needs Provide state-wide

coordination

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Washington State Partner Community Colleges

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2005 2011

Sector Niche Expertisein Community Colleges

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Traditional Power Operations, Centralia CollegeDistribution Line Systems, Spokane CCNuclear, Columbia Basin College

Renewables and ConservationSolar, Shoreline CCWind, Walla Walla CCEnergy Efficiency Mgmt, Edmonds and Cascadia CC

New and EmergingSmart Grid Cyber SecuritySustainability

Industry and Labor Partners

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• Avista Utilities• Puget Sound

Energy• Portland

General Electric

• Idaho Power• IBEW Locals

77 & 125• WA State

Labor Council AFL/CIO

• Centralia City Light

• Seattle City Light

• Tacoma Power

• Bonneville Power Administration

• Northwest• Public Utility

Districts

Value to Industry and Labor

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Industry and Labor led Advisory Board

Coordination of Energy Sector Efforts

Continuity of Curriculum

Support Incumbent Worker and Apprenticeship Training – Classroom and online

Leverage Stakeholder Resources

Well Trained, Qualified Workforce

Research = The Platform

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• Industry trends

• Labor shortages

• Workforce education solutions

• Growing the workforce pipeline

Knowledge Transfer

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Skill Panels•Connecting Industry and Education•Skill Standards: defining industry requirements

• Plant Operator • Plant Mechanic• Plant Electrician• Combustion Turbine• Wind Technician• Transmission Occupations

http://www.centralia.edu/coe/skill.html

Growth of Workforce Collaboration

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2004

2005

2009National Model

2010

Strategic Focus

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Convene Industry,

Labor, Educatio

n Strategy Group

Strategic Plan

Developed

Seek Funding

to Support Plan/Goa

ls

Enhance Partnershi

ps to Support

Plan

A Regional ApproachLegislative Support

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A Smarter Grid

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• Department of Energy Funding Opportunity

• $ 7 Million Match Package

• $5 Million Federal

Project Objectives

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Annual Best Practices Summit

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Convening Industry, Labor, Education, Workforce and Economic Development

June 23/24, 2011

Regional Training and Education Center, Satsop Campus

Why Develop a Pacific NW Smarter Grid Workforce?

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BPA System OperationsAdrienne

Seattle Steam Power Plant Operator Ryan

Grand Coulee Hydro Plant OperatorBrian

Questions??

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www.centralia.edu/coe

For Further Information