1. Education - Business Partnership An Innovative Response to Workforce Training Needs

2. 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 2

3. 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 3

4. that work 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:  Attract  Train  Develop  Retain EPCE 4

5. EPCE Partners

7. A 2009 survey by Center for Energy Workforce Development predicted that by 2015, 46 % of the existing skilled technician workforce and 51% of the engineering workforce may need to be replaced due to retirement or attrition. The Energy Workforce Today 7

8. 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 8

9. 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. 9

10. Northeast Utilities Bismarck State College Bruce Emmil, Associate Vice President, National Energy Center of Excellence Connecticut Community College System Gail Coppage, State Workforce Director, The Partners 10

11. 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. - The Driver: Employer Need 11

12. Northeast Utilities A 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 Services  Yankee Gas Services Co The Employer 12

13. 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. 13

14. LevelNumberAvg Age Avg Service Leadership86651.321.7 Professionals167147.516.3 Technicians53244.713.7 Skilled Craft167847.917.5 Total4747 NU’s Sense of Urgency LevelPension Eligibility 5 years Leadership44752% Professionals62037% Technicians14828% Skilled Craft60236% Total181738% LevelPension Eligibility Now Leadership19222% Professionals26416% Technicians7314% Skilled Craft27116% Total80017% Need programs now for the future workforce: Advanced Technology Mobile Workforce Smart Grid 14

15. 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 Center of Excellence (NECE)  Vision: a worldwide leader in education & training for the energy industry  Department of Energy designation Bismarck State College 15

16. 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 16

17. 17 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

18. 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 18

19. Identify NeedIdentify StakeholdersFind a “Champion”Clear, Common GoalRegular MeetingsRecognize & Respect Internal Processes 19 Key Elements of a Successful Partnership

20. 20 And… Patience Reaching consensus takes time when many voices must be heard

21. 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 21 Lessons Learned All politics is local so don’t be surprised if local politicians change their position

22. 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 22

23. 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 23

24. http://www.mlive.com/business/west- michigan/index.ssf/2010/04/economy_spurs_more_colla borati.htmlhttp://www.mlive.com/business/west- michigan/index.ssf/2010/04/economy_spurs_more_colla borati.html http://chronicle.com/article/More-Partnerships- Between/128293/http://chronicle.com/article/More-Partnerships- Between/128293/ http://www.corporatevoices.org/system/files/u822/CVWF _Ill_Prepared_UPDATED_2011.pdfhttp://www.corporatevoices.org/system/files/u822/CVWF _Ill_Prepared_UPDATED_2011.pdf http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/06/pdf/wor king_learners.pdfhttp://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/06/pdf/wor king_learners.pdf Some Resources 24

25. Tom Burns: burnstf@nu.com Contact Information 25