EPCE Looks Back on Ten Years of Collaboration and Providing Quality Online Education to the Utility Workforce

For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Bates, 303.804.4675, sbates@cael.org

Energy Industry Coalition Looks Back on Ten Years of Collaboration and Providing Quality Online Education to the Utility Workforce

Denver, CO, October 5, 2011 - The Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) celebrated over ten years of history at its August member coalition meeting, held August 23 to 26, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, co-hosted by EPCE members PJM Interconnection and Exelon Corp.

EPCE is a national energy industry coalition dedicated to developing and delivering solutions to attract and engage the energy industry's workforce through quality online education. At this fall 2011 meeting, the coalition was proud to welcome special guests KEMA and the Center for Workforce Development who both presented.

According to a 2011 KEMA workforce study, an estimated 50% of the electric power industry's workforce is eligible for retirement in the next 3 to 5 years. This combined with a steadily increasing demand for energy across the nation and the introduction of new industry technologies means the preparation and training of the next generation of workers has become critical.

Several energy industry representatives identified this troubling trend over ten years ago, and in 2000 partnered with CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, with the specific goal to help create a pipeline of new industry employees and develop existing incumbent employees specifically through online education and training. EPCE was born of this partnership.

In 2001, EPCE delivered its first program, the online Associate's degree in Electric Power Technology, built in partnership with Bismarck State College's (BSC) National Energy Center for Excellence. EPCE's membership, comprised of investor-owned utilities, union locals, and industry associations from coast to coast, now represents nearly 70% of the electric utility workforce.

"The EPCE coalition represents the best of the utility industry providing online educational solutions for Northeast Utilities' incumbent workforce and the workforce of the future," said Tom Burns, training director at Northeast Utilities.

Likewise, the online education and training programs the EPCE coalition has developed or delivered on behalf of the industry have expanded considerably to include:

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University
Master's degrees in Power Systems Management and Power Systems Engineering from Worchester Polytechnic Institute
Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College
Associate's in Nuclear Power Technology from BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence

To date, these college credit bearing and non-credit courses have seen over 20,000 enrollments from 3,900 students, with 370 completing a college degree. In addition, over 600 youth have been introduced to energy career options through EPCE's online energy courses from Virtual High School and career exploration opportunities through EPCE's industry members.

The success of the EPCE model greatly depends on the initial and ongoing industry collaboration and involvement. EPCE's industry members continuously assess how online education and training can help build the industry's workforce. Based on training and education needs assessments across the membership, EPCE curriculum committees develop the curriculum or select online programs with curriculum that best aligns with those needs. In addition, EPCE members ensure online student services are in place; the program accommodates working adult learners; and the quality of online instruction, interactivity and use of technology. Through EPCE membership, employees of member companies receive significant tuition discounts.

Always with an eye toward the evolving needs of the industry workforce, in 2010, CAEL accepted on behalf of EPCE a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Energy workforce development grant in the area of renewable energy and the smart grid and has developed online smart grid courses to help transition the workforce to these new technologies.

"Every report we read and every conversation within the industry eventually comes around to the workforce," said Raquel Velez DeGroot, project director for CAEL's smart grid efforts. "If the workforce isn't armed with new knowledge and skilled in emerging technologies, the investments we are making as a nation to enhance and secure our electric grid will not have the impact it must have."

Challenges facing the energy industry with future smart grid deployment include developing national standards for the smart grid, policy issues, cyber security concerns, and customer buy-in. However, with strong collaborations like what EPCE provides, the industry is well on its way toward preparing the future workforce.

After 10 years with the vision of EPCE members, EPCE's goal is to grow its membership within the industry, as well as increase its number of online education and training programs.

"The energy industry faces tremendous change in the future, which will impact the workforce," said Jo Winger de Rondon, vice president at CAEL's Denver office. "EPCE is prepared to support the industry demand to help meet these needs."

About EPCE
The Energy Providers Coalition for Education (www.epceonline.org) is a national alliance delivering solutions to attract and engage the energy industry's workforce through quality online education. These programs offer interested candidates and incumbent workers technical skills as well as academic knowledge needed for industry career paths in electric utilities, nuclear power, and gas distribution. EPCE members, representing over two-thirds of the industry, champion industry needs in their joint efforts to develop and sponsor online curriculum with qualified accredited high schools, colleges, and universities. EPCE celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2011.

About CAEL
The EPCE program is a signature initiative of CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (www.cael.org ), an international non-profit organization with more than 35 years experience in creating and managing effective learning strategies for working adults through partnerships with employers, higher education, the public sector, and labor. CAEL is headquartered in Chicago, with regional offices in Denver and Philadelphia.

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