Here are the presentations from the 2012 Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference, held November 13-15, Albany, NY in PDF format. Opening remarks — Jane Weissman, IREC
Talking About Jobs. Labor-market analysis, differentiating between clean energy job forecasts and green job myths. A case study looks at retraining displaced Kennedy Space Center workers. Related resources and networking discussed. Phil Jordan, BW Research: Solar Energy Economics, Policy & Jobs Colleen McCann Kettles, Florida Solar Energy Center: Clean Energy Job Creation Using an On-the-Job Training Model Melonee Docherty, Advanced Technology Environment and Energy Center: Talking About Jobs: Energy Workforce Resources
>Integrating STEM into Clean Energy Training. Four case studies on the benefits of teaching basic skills and clean energy through real-world projects and hands-on learning experiences that lead to career readiness. Danielle Leifer, City University of New York Building Performance Lab: Bringing the Math Down to Earth Pam Carpenter, NSF FREEDM Systems Center, NC State University: The FREEDM Systems Center Diane Irwin, Ballston Spa School District: Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School Angela Whittaker, Cumberland County Public Schools: Renewable Energy Instruction for High School Students
Training and Education in a Maturing Solar Industry. Panel discussion on the evolving world of solar education and training from leading educators of the Solar Instructor Training Network (SITN). Recently developed Best Practices documents was showcased. Panelists shared lessons to instructors and institutions develop successful solar programs. Jerry Ventre, IREC, Inc.: Solar Instructor Training Network Barbara Martin, IREC, Inc. (no presentation) Panelists: Representatives from the 9 Regional Training Providers of the Solar Instructor Training Network (no presentations)
Career Pathways Models. How renewable energy and energy efficiency credentialing bodies ,as well as traditional trades, are developing competency assessments and speciality, knowledge-based training. Vikki Murphy, Building Performance Institute: Stackable, Portable Credentials for the Weatherization and HP Industry Elena Foshay, Rising Sun Energy Center: Weaving Training and Social Enterprise to Create Accessible Green Career Pathways Les Nelson, International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials: Career Preparation: Water Efficiency & Renewable Energy Chad Wolf, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: NABCEP Entry Level Examinations: Creating Onramps to Training, Credentials and Jobs
Linda Silverman, Senior Advisor for Workforce Development and Education, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy: DOE’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Contribution to the Clean Energy Workforce
Setting Training to Industry Standards. National and international approaches to competency assessment programs. How training and certificate programs do best by working in alignment with industry. Benjamin Goldstein, U.S Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Setting Training to Industry Standards Warren Aspinall, Global Business Development: BZEE Training Centre for Renewable Energy Ezra Auerbach, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: NABCEP: Beyond Entry Level Nicole Rice, Midwest Renewable Energy Association: Site Assessment Certificate Program (SACP)
Building a Green Career Lattice — How to Map Skills, Training & Jobs in the Clean Energy Economy. Cutting-edge career-lattices designed to map clean energy occupations and the many education and training pathways into them. Marcy Drummond, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College: Creating On-Ramps, Pathways & Off-Ramps Linked to Green Career Lattices Mimi Maduro, Columbia Gorge Community College, Oregon: Mapping Green Pathways Across Oregon Caleb Werth, MN Department of Commerce: Energy Career Paths: Tools for Job Seekers
The Value of Consortiums and Partnerships. Five different consortium and partnerships, their design, structure and outcomes. Barbara A. Livermore-Reer, SUNY Ulster: A Regional Approach to the Design and Delivery of Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Technology Training Programs Julie Brazeau, Midwest Renewable Energy Association: Two Grants Working Toward One Shared Vision Marilyn Barger, Florida Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence: Industrial Energy Efficiency Competencies for Associate Degree Programs Julie Elzanati, Illinois Green Economy Network: Dream a Big Dream: Power of Collaboration & Communication James Myers, Rochester Institute of Technology: Rochester Clean Energy Education Partnership
Policy Impact on the Workforce. Trends and policies in incentives and why these matter to workforce training and development. Justin Barnes, DSIRE, NC State University: Policy Impact on the Workforce
Building an Industry Standard: what you need to know and why. An overview of the IREC Standard 14732, the process of its development and value to stakeholders. Laure-Jeanne Davignon, Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc., and Christine Niero, Professional Testing, Inc.: Building an Industry Standard: What You Need to Know and Why
Photovoltaic Manufacturing Workforce Education and Training at CNSE. Panel discussion on curricula development and establishing clear pathways from elementary school to the clean energy workforce (no formal presentations) Pradeep Halder, CNSE Robert Horan, Schodack Central School District Dennis Phayre, Real Goods Solar
Teaching and Teacher Techniques. Four different case studies on approaches to instructional design, teaching adults, problem-based learning and successful teacher characteristics and teaching methods. Carla Maxwell, ACI: Training Strategies for Maximum Impact Cory Budischak, Delaware Technical and Community College: Sustainable Energy Education Through Problem Based LearningAnna Sullivan, Association for Energy Affordability, Inc. Peter Skinner, E2G Solar: Smart Devices Teach Solar Thermal Fundamentals
Hands-on Training. Diverse approaches to developing hands-on and mobile learning environments. John Holley, Alabama Center for Excellence in Clean Energy Technology David Kostick, IMT Solar: Using a Zero Energy Home as a Working Lab Ryan Doty, SolPower People, Inc.: Mobile Solar Training Lab (YouTube video) Erik Koepf, University of Delaware: Hands-on and In-Context Christopher LaForge, Great Northern Star: Building Effective Photovoltaic Labs
Plenary: Workforce Challenges and Strategies — A candid discussion with three national leaders (YouTube video) Sarah White, Ph.D., Center on Wisconsin Strategy: Not Your Grandma’s Training Program: Hope & Change 2.0 Debra Rowe, Oakland Community College, U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development: Education and Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future in the U.S. Marcy Drummond, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College: S4Trategic
State Impact on Workforce Development — NYSERDA in action. Three critical issues NYS is addressing on training a diverse workforce, how new technologies lead to new workforces, and careers for quality assurance inspectors. Rebecca Sterling, NYSERDA: Bridging the Gap Between Training & Employment Miriam Pye, NYSERDA: Biomimicry: Be Inspired! Patrick O’Shei, NYSERDA: Quality Assurance: Training the Field Inspector Workforce
Creating a Benchmark for Quality — Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals Project. Overview of DOE’s Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals project, a collaborative including work quality specifications, accreditation of energy efficiency training programs, job task analyses, and national Home Energy Professional certification program, in addition to a new fully featured Multifamily Tool for Energy Auditing (MulTEA). Josh Olsen, Jennifer Sommers, U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program: The Weatherization Assistance Program: Educating America’s Home Energy Industry
Strategies for Training. Models on ‘learn-as-you-earn’ internship-apprenticeship and OJT. Results of a study on the adoption of solar energy skills training in community colleges across one state; lessons learned from two public schools and community colleges programs. Barbara Hernesman, CalCERTS, Inc.: Learning: Getting Information, Knowledge, Behavior Skills Into Your Brain Deborah Porto, Haywood Community College: Diffusion of Photovoltaic Occupational Skills Training: Awareness and Adoption in the North Carolina Community Colleges Eli Allen, Civic Works: Equitable Market Transformation: Creating Green Career Training Pathways Out of Poverty in the Residential Energy Efficiency Sector Cyane Dandridge, Strategic Energy Innovations: Creating Green Career Pathways
Workforce for the Smart Grid. Skill sets for incumbent and new workers and how community colleges and advanced degree programs are addressing the redesign of the power grid. John Carrese, California Community Colleges Centers of Excellence: Workforce Study on Rebuilding the Grid: A California Perspective Pam Carpenter, NSF FREEDM Systems Center, NC State University: The FREEDM Systems Center Michael Kuhn, ImagineSolar: How Educational Programs Need to Evolve to Prepare a Smart Grid Workforce David Riley, Pennsylvania State University: Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Workforce Development and Training Programs at Penn State University
Responding to Market Needs. How different sectors align training resources to market demand Elizabeth Hittman and Tim Wilheim, Midwest Renewable Energy Assn./Kankakee Community College: Responding to Market Needs Barry Friedman, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: The Employer Point of View: Tying Workforce Efforts to Industry Needs Ken Walz, Madison Area Technical College: Renewable Energy Education and Training to Meet National Trends and Regional Needs
Planning for the Future Renewable Energy Market — What the Unions Are Doing Now. Panel on how unions are preparing apprentices and journey-level workers for the expanding renewable energy market. Dan Maloney, United Auto Workers, Rochester, NY: Developing a Hydrogen-Powered Economy in New York State Edward Nadeau, UA Local 7, Capital Region, NY (no presentation) Jason Iannelli, Northeast JATC Rick Cataldo, Tri-City JATC for IBEW: NYS Lighting Controls Program (video)
Approaches Taken in Course Development. Four case studies: teaching safety practices; renewable energy advanced certificate offered to associate degree graduates; moving from technician to business and sales courses; critical units to cover in solar thermal training. Jeff Tobe, Solar Energy International: Implementing Safety in Hands-On PV Training Facilities Robert Murray Macrae, Selkirk College School of Environment and Geomatics: Advanced Certificate in Renewable Energy for Associate Degree Graduates at Selkirk College Christopher LaForge, Great Northern Solar: Starting a Solar Small Business Development/ Sales Program Thomas H. Lane, Energy Conservation Services: Solar Thermal Business Development
Community-Focused Training. Learning techniques and mentoring programs for diverse populations Jameelah Muhammad, Center for Sustainable Energy, Bronx Community College: Community Based Job Training: Lessons Learned and Visions for the Future Cyane Dandridge, Strategic Energy Innovations: Small Cities Climate Action Partnership: A Case Study of Clean Energy Workforce Internship for the Public Sector Kate Taylor, Community College of Allegheny County, West Hills Center: Creating a Renewable /Alternative Energy Training Center in the Midst of a Marcellus Shale Boom Tasha MacAdam, National Solar Trainers: CleanTech Education LLC
Online Training — The Next Generation. How 3-D computer simulation embedded in game-based frameworks is being used in renewable energy and energy efficiency training and testing. Online delivery methods targeted at specific groups. Doug Donovan, Interplay Energy: Performance Simulation Training & Testing Josh Manders, Lane Community College/Assn. of Community College Energy & Water Educators: Educating the Next Generation of Energy Practitioners Christina Nichols, U.S. Department of Energy/SunShot (Nanotech International): Photovoltaic Online Training for Code Officials