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Education - Business PartnershipAn Innovative Response to Workforce Training Needs

1 Experience30+ years of Distribution, Transmission and Nuclear Generation Experience 15 Years of Training Management at Northeast Utilities in T&D and NuclearIncreasing levels of leadership with Northeast UtilitiesVisionary with stellar track record of designing employer driven education partnerships with outstanding resultsBoardsGovernor appointment to Connecticut Employment and Training CommissionFormer Director for Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment BoardCo-chair Connecticut Energy Workforce ConsortiumGovernance committee for Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE)PublicationsPrepared for use in the nuclear industryEducationBS Degree with Business and Sociology focusMS in EducationNumerous industry and leadership certificationsPresenter Tom Burns2Share a successful model from the energy industry that addresses workforce issues with a unique partnership combining online and on-the-ground industry focused instructionPresent the current and future workforce data that drives demand for innovative solutions Explain how it worksDescribe the value of this approachRespond to questionsPresentation Purpose33The Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) is a partnership of utilities, energy-related companies, associations, and unions that have come together to develop online workforce solutions that work to help them:

AttractTrainDevelopRetain

EPCE

44EPCE Partners

5

6A 2009 survey by Center for Energy Workforce Development predicted that by 2015, 46 % of the existing skilled technicianworkforce and 51% of the engineering workforce may need to be replaced due to retirement or attrition.

The Energy Workforce Today

7 National Commission on Energy Policy concluded that 150,000 new jobs would be needed to design and operate low-carbon power sources in the coming years.

Taskforce on Americas Future Energy Jobs

8Preparing the Next GenerationIf we are to have an energy future, we have to prepare the workforce today. ***New workers will need the right education and training to enter the energy industry.

9Northeast Utilities

Bismarck State CollegeBruce Emmil, Associate Vice President, National Energy Center of Excellence

Connecticut Community College SystemGail Coppage, State Workforce Director

,

The Partners

10The utility industry is facing 120,000 retirements over the next few yearsmore than at any other time in its almost 130-year history.

Almost 60,000 of the nation's electrical utility skilled technicians and engineers will be eligible to retire by 2015.

Serious ramifications if the industry doesnt prepare for this loss of skills and knowledge.-The Driver: Employer Need1111Northeast UtilitiesA Connecticut-based, Fortune 500 energy company, NUis New Englands largest energy delivery system.

2 million + electricity and natural gas customers9000 employees across 3 states6 business units: NSTAR Connecticut Light & Power Public Service of New Hampshire Western Massachusetts Electric Transmission ServicesYankee Gas Services Co

The Employer12The Business NeedUpgrade the Education of the Incumbent and Future Workforce

Incumbent workforce with some college. Difficult to finish degree when working full time.Entry level workforce. Need to upgrade entry knowledge to an associate degree.NU cannot sustain a community college program at any one school based on regional hiring needs.Flexibility of using any one of the 12 community colleges in the Connecticut service territory.Degree is awarded in Connecticut and aligns with 4-year state universities.

13LevelNumberAvg AgeAvg ServiceLeadership86651.321.7Professionals167147.516.3Technicians53244.713.7Skilled Craft167847.917.5Total4747NUs Sense of UrgencyLevelPension Eligibility5 yearsLeadership44752%Professionals62037%Technicians14828%Skilled Craft60236%Total181738%LevelPension Eligibility NowLeadership19222%Professionals26416%Technicians7314%Skilled Craft27116%Total80017%Need programs now for the future workforce: Advanced Technology Mobile Workforce Smart Grid14Community College located in Bismarck ND since 19394300 credit students14,000 non-credit students Continuing Education, Training & Innovation Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and SchoolsFounding Education Partner for EPCE

National Energy Centerof Excellence (NECE)Vision: a worldwide leader in education & training for the energy industryDepartment of Energy designationBismarck State College151511 energy-related programs offered:Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Process and Petroleum sectorsCertificates, Associate Applied Science DegreesBachelors of Applied Science in Energy MgtBoth Classroom & OnlineEnergy curriculum has been offered for 40+ yearsCustomized Training & Dept of Labor-approved Apprenticeship Programs (Non-Credit)Partnerships with industry and colleges

NECE

1617 Connecticut Community College - Partner

A system of 12 Connecticut community colleges, largest higher education system in CT58,253 students enrolled in credit programs leading to a degree or certificate40,000 students in non-credit, skill-building programsPartnership readyNo new funding availableInnovation required

17Connecticut Community Colleges offer- General Education Courses- Other Technical Courses

Bismarck State College offers ---- Industry-specific Online Electric Power Technology courses

Associates Degree in Technology Studies Awarded by Connecticut Community College System.

The Curriculum1819 Key Elements of a Successful Partnership1920AndReaching consensus takes time when many voices must be heard

20Understand how the laws differ for each stateUnderstand federal reporting requirementsUnderstand financial aid changesEnsure the curriculum aligns with the on-the-job field trainingNot every college will agree with this approach so recognize when it is time to find another partnerSet a timeline and try to meet deadlinesContinually grow and nurture the industry partnershipKeep partners engagedNever lose sight of the goal21Lessons LearnedAll politics is local so dont be surprised if local politicians change their position21 Benefits to the Employer: Candidate pool with the right skillsAddresses long term regional workforce needsTap into industry expertise of academic institutionReduces internal training costs

Benefits to the Educational Partners:No need to duplicate existing programsBuild capacity and expand offerings in a broad-based, sustainable mannerAccess to industry curriculum that would not be available otherwise

Benefits to the Students:Opportunity to earn an industry-built, industry-endorsed degree otherwise not available in their area Easy access to online education 24/7Degree awarded by their home institutionClassroom training aligns with on-the-job apprentice programBenefits of Partnership

2222The Partnership Industry(Skilled technician workforce)Bismarck State CollegeConnecticut Community College Associate in Technology Studies

Unskilled technician workforceCombination online and on-the-ground instructionNortheast Utilities23http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/04/economy_spurs_more_collaborati.htmlhttp://chronicle.com/article/More-Partnerships-Between/128293/

http://www.corporatevoices.org/system/files/u822/CVWF_Ill_Prepared_UPDATED_2011.pdf

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/06/pdf/working_learners.pdf

Some Resources24

Tom Burns: burnstf@nu.com

Contact Information25