Education - Business PartnershipAn Innovative Response

to Workforce Training Needs

Experience• 30+ years of Distribution, Transmission and Nuclear Generation Experience • 15 Years of Training Management at Northeast Utilities in T&D and Nuclear• Increasing levels of leadership with Northeast Utilities• Visionary with stellar track record of designing employer – driven education partnerships with

outstanding results

Boards• Governor appointment to Connecticut Employment and Training Commission• Former Director for Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board• Co-chair Connecticut Energy Workforce Consortium• Governance committee for Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE)Publications• Prepared for use in the nuclear industry

Education• BS Degree with Business and Sociology focus• MS in Education• Numerous industry and leadership certifications

Presenter – Tom Burns

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• Share a successful model from the energy industry that addresses workforce issues with a unique partnership combining online and on-the-ground industry focused instruction

• Present the current and future workforce data that drives demand for innovative solutions

• Explain how it works• Describe the value of this approach• Respond to questions

Presentation Purpose

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• The 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

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EPCE Partners

A 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

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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 America’s Future Energy Jobs

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Preparing the Next Generation

If 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.

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Northeast Utilities

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

Connecticut Community College SystemGail Coppage, State Workforce Director

,

The Partners

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• The utility industry is facing 120,000 retirements over the next few years—more 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 doesn’t prepare for this loss of skills and knowledge.

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The Driver: Employer Need

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Northeast UtilitiesA Connecticut-based, Fortune 500 energy company, NU

is New England’s largest energy delivery system.

• 2 million + electricity and natural gas customers• 9000 employees across 3 states• 6 business units:

NSTAR Connecticut Light & Power Public Service of New Hampshire Western Massachusetts Electric Transmission ServicesYankee Gas Services Co

The Employer

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The Business Need

Upgrade 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.

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Level Number Avg Age

Avg Service

Leadership 866 51.3 21.7

Professionals 1671 47.5 16.3

Technicians 532 44.7 13.7

Skilled Craft 1678 47.9 17.5

Total 4747

NU’s Sense of Urgency

Level Pension Eligibility5 years

Leadership 447 52%Professionals 620 37%

Technicians 148 28%Skilled Craft 602 36%Total 1817 38%

Level Pension Eligibility Now

Leadership 192 22%Professionals 264 16%

Technicians 73 14%Skilled Craft 271 16%Total 800 17%

Need programs now for the future workforce:• Advanced Technology• Mobile Workforce• Smart Grid

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• Community College located in Bismarck ND since 1939

• 4300 credit students• 14,000 non-credit students

– Continuing Education, Training & Innovation

• Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

• Founding Education Partner for EPCE

National Energy Centerof Excellence (NECE)

Vision: a worldwide leader in education & training for the energy industry

Department of Energy designation

Bismarck State College

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• 11 energy-related programs offered:– Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Process and

Petroleum sectors• Certificates, Associate Applied Science Degrees• Bachelors of Applied Science in Energy Mgt• Both Classroom & Online• Energy curriculum has been offered for 40+ years• Customized Training & Dept of Labor-approved

Apprenticeship Programs (Non-Credit)

• Partnerships with industry and colleges

NECE

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Connecticut Community College - Partner

A system of 12 Connecticut community colleges, largest higher education system in CT

58,253 students enrolled in credit programs leading to a degree or certificate

40,000 students in non-credit, skill-building programs Partnership ready No new funding available Innovation required

• Connecticut 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 Curriculum

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Identify Need

Identify Stakeholders

Find a “Champion”

Clear, Common Goal

Regular Meetings

Recognize & Respect Internal Processes

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Key Elements of a Successful Partnership

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And…

PatienceReaching consensus takes time when

many voices must be heard

• Understand how the laws differ for each state• Understand federal reporting requirements• Understand financial aid changes• Ensure the curriculum aligns with the on-the-job field

training• Not every college will agree with this approach so

recognize when it is time to find another partner• Set a timeline and try to meet deadlines• Continually grow and nurture the industry partnership• Keep partners engaged• Never lose sight of the goal

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Lessons Learned

All politics is local so don’t be surprised if local politicians change their position

• Benefits to the Employer:

– Candidate pool with the right skills– Addresses long term regional workforce needs– Tap into industry expertise of academic institution– Reduces internal training costs

• Benefits to the Educational Partners:– No need to duplicate existing programs– Build capacity and expand offerings in a broad-based, sustainable manner– Access 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 24/7– Degree awarded by their home institution– Classroom training aligns with on-the-job apprentice program

Benefits of Partnership

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The Partnership

Industry

(Skilled technician workforce)

Industry

(Skilled technician workforce)

Bismarck State

College

Bismarck State

College

Connecticut Community

College

Connecticut Community

College

Associate in

Technology

Studies

Unskilled technician workforce

Unskilled technician workforce

Combination online and

on-the-ground instruction

Northeast Utilities

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• http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/04/economy_spurs_more_collaborati.html

 • http://chronicle.com/article/More-Partnerships-Between/1

28293/

• 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 Resources

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Tom Burns: burnstf@nu.com

Contact Information

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