Clean, Green, and on the Same Team!

How Economic and Workforce Development are Partnering to Serve

an Emerging Regional Industry

Eastern Washington Clean Technology Opportunity Analysis

• Clean technology is a growth industry in Eastern Washington with mature and emerging companies gaining national recognition

• CLEEN|NW, a regional industry group, was formed three years ago to maximize potential and opportunities in the industry– The group includes members from economic development and

workforce development organizations, as well as private organizations

– Founders and partners of CLEEN|NW determined the need for baseline information existed that could help grow and sustain the clean technology industry

• Workforce needs of sector not fully understood

Clean, Green, and on the Same Team

• The CLEEN|NW group applied for an industry grant through Department of Commerce that would be used to develop an opportunity analysis for the clean technology industry

• Members of the application team included: Avista Corporation City of Spokane CLEEN|NW Community Colleges of Spokane Eastern Washington Partnership Workforce Development Council Eastern Washington University Spokane Gonzaga University Greater Spokane Incorporated McKinstry

Pullman Innovation Partnership Zone Sirti Southeast Washington Economic Development Association Spokane Area Workforce Development Council Spokane Innovation Partnership Zone Tri County Economic Development District Washington State University Pullman and Spokane Whitworth University

• Spokane Area Workforce Development Council received $250K grant to study 10-county region of eastern Washington

– Target Clean Energy and Energy efficiency technology companies– Determine skill gaps and future workforce needs – Develop technology-based tools to connect and disseminate information about careers– Expand training capacity for sector

Eastern Washington Clean Technology Regional Opportunity Analysis

• The program was set up in three phases:– Clean Energy Industry Skills Panel

• Convene business, labor and education to determine the unmet workforce needs, ensure skills gaps are addressed and regional and statewide goals are met

– Clean Energy Opportunity Analysis• Overview of the clean energy market, inventory of existing companies in the region and

survey to determine regional competencies and barriers or opportunities for success

– Clean Energy R&D Infrastructure• Identify gaps between industry, state research organizations and commercialization

resources to develop greater facilitation and coordination

Eastern Washington Clean Technology Regional Opportunity Analysis

• The Industry Skills Panels were convened by the local workforce development councils and community college– Initial program development and training funded by $1.9M Recovery Act grant to SAWDC– Educational institutions outlined their existing curriculum and programs that focus on training

for this industry– Through Advisory Committees, private industry discussed their current and future needs for

skilled workers

• The Opportunity Analysis team, consisting of economic development partners and a consultant, developed a template for an opportunity analysis– The group performed research on global, national, regional and local

Clean Energy trends– Developed a list of existing companies that provide services and solutions

to the industry– Created a survey tool to discover issues regarding funding, infrastructure,

R&D, regulatory and policy, educational attributes, leadership and supply chain

In process of editing and completing the final documentation which will highlight areas of opportunity in Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington Clean Technology Regional Opportunity Analysis

• Clean Energy Research and Development Infrastructure– Conducted meetings with industry and university representatives to

assess research competencies, gaps and opportunities

– Organized and executed Invention to Venture seminar connecting researchers with entrepreneurs

– Assisted in identification of promising university research and possible commercialization pathways

– Generated an opportunity matrix that identified specific areas of collaboration

Metrics and Milestones

• This project will include three deliverables:– A regional strategic implementation plan that supports

long-term economic growth of businesses and jobs in the clean energy cluster

– An opportunity analysis study that provides a recommended platform for business growth and segmentation opportunities for regional companies

– An opportunity matrix that identifies and facilitates specific areas of potential collaboration and paths for commercialization of technologies

Lessons Learned

• Be realistic when setting schedules and milestones

• Get everyone on the same page early

• Remove any barriers to participation

Unique and Unequaled

• One of the first clean energy industry projects undertaken jointly by multiple economic and workforce development organizations, in partnership with multiple Innovation Partnership Zones

• Variety of funding streams helps to sustain long term efforts

• State request to consider designing and implementing the project to allow it to be replicated across other areas of Washington

Next Steps

• Implement the findings from the Opportunity Analysis

• Continue expanding research and development of asset map for region

• Maintain relationships with business networks to remain current on workforce needs

• Pursue resources to fund new and existing training

Contact Information• Robin Toth

VP, Business DevelopmentGreater Spokane Incorporated801 W Riverside Ave., Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201rtoth@greaterspokane.org509.321.3636

• Mark MattkeExecutive DirectorSpokane Area Workforce Development Council808 W Spokane Falls Blvd #606, Spokane, WA 99201mmattke@wdcspokane.com509.625.6214