Florida Energy Workforce Consortium

Year in Review

Florida Energy Workforce Consortium• Formed in 2006 to develop solutions to meet the

current and future workforce needs of Florida’s energy industry

• Comprised of energy industry, construction, preK – 12 and post-secondary education, and workforce representatives – 60+ members

• Compete for a talent puddle or work together to build a talent pool?

WFI recognizes Energy as Key Infrastructure Industry. Energy Technical Resource Group well underway.

Top Occupations of Concern• Line Installers and Repairers

• Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters

• Welders

• Maintenance and Repair Workers

• Electricians

• Engineering Technicians

• Engineers (electrical, mechanical, chemical, civil…)

• Instrumentation & Control Technicians

• Power Plant Operators

Executive Committee Update

• 2012-2013 Officers –– Co-chairs: Sharon Patterson, JEA and

Betsy Levingston, Lakeland Electric– Outreach: Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power– Policy & Education: Toni Scholtze, FPL– Finance: Sharon Patterson, JEA– Honorary EC Member: Andra Cornelius,

Workforce Florida

Executive Committee Update (continued)

• Updated FEWC distribution list• Coordination of activities/projects/face-to-face

meetings• “Careers in Energy Week” proclamation by

Governor Scott• Monthly Conference calls• Promotional and Event Items (how to access)

State & National Outreach MISSION– To raise awareness of the energy industry careers that are

critical to our state’s electrical infrastructure

– To ensure collaborations are in place to achieve the necessary workforce development solutions to meet the industry’s current and future needs

– To ensure that standing committees and councils are aware of the FEWC objectives and action plans

– To play a critical role in developing communications between the FEWC and other state energy workforce consortia, other industry-related organizations, and national agency efforts to maximize awareness and solution sharing

Key Linkages/ Partnerships

State and National Outreach Highlights 2012

• Collaborate with 30+ other state energy consortia

March 2, 2012Rep. Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland) talks about the resolution to honor lineworkers across the state on Aug. 26. Lineworkers from across state attended.

Outreach Highlights 2012 (cont’d)• Florida Skills USA Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo –

May 1 & 2: Pensacola Civic Center (World of Energy)

Outreach Highlights 2012

• Represent and/or present at multiple state and national energy and workforce conferences:– Sunshine State Scholars Event Sponsor/booth: February, 2012– JEA hosted EPCE meeting in Jacksonville– CEWD Southeast Meeting – April 19 Charlotte– GIECP State Team Leads Meeting – June 4/5 DC– US News STEM Summit – June, Dallas– FACTE conference presentation – July, Jacksonville– State Consortia Team Leads Meeting – August, GPC in Atlanta– VA Governor’s Energy Summit – October in Richmond– CEWD Annual Summit – Nov. 14 – 16 Arlington, VA

Outreach Coming Up 2013• Sunshine State Scholars: February 21 – 22; Orlando• SETA Spring Conference—Industry and Workforce Board

Partnerships--GIECP, Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power (February, 2013)

• CEWD Southeast Meeting: April 4 at Gulf Power• Continued management of GIECP• Continued support of other states as they work toward 17th

cluster/ new curriculum frameworks• Continued support of Florida Energy Teachers Network and

other initiatives/collaborations…

Career Awareness

2012: Careers in Energy Week Essay Contest – Theme: “Energy Workers: Putting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering

& Math) to Work” - October 15-19, 2012. – High school participants wrote an essay in 500-1000 words describing how

energy workers make a world of difference.– Winners will be announced November 26, 2012.– iPods will be awarded for top 3 essays.

2013: State Science Fair– 58th State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida– March 26–28, 2013– Lakeland Center, Lakeland– Three $500 awards for top 3 energy-related projects

 

Objective– To improve the image of the electric utility industry and introduce the

population to innovative, lucrative, and productive, career paths within our industry.

Energy is FL’s 17th Career Cluster• Partnered with Florida Department of Education to

gain approval for the addition of an Energy Industry Cluster - FIRST IN NATION!

• Partnered with FDOE to develop 5 new secondary energy curriculum frameworks: – Energy Technician– Power Distribution Technician– Energy Generation Technician– Solar Energy Technology– Turbine Generator Maintenance, Inspection and Repair

http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/energy_cluster_frame12.asp

Energy Frameworks• Most of these frameworks share 1st two common courses:

– Energy Foundations/ Industry Fundamentals (CEWD curriculum materials)

– Introduction to Alternative Energy (NCCER curriculum materials)

• Energy Technician Course Framework (600 hours)– Energy Foundations/ Industry Fundamentals (CEWD)

– Electricity 1 (NCCER Core, Your Role in a Green Environment)

– Introduction to Alternative Energy (NCCER)

– Electricity 2 (NCCER Electrical 1)

• Now developing 7th grade (semester) and 8th grade (year-long) course frameworks for middle schools

Energy Frameworks• PSAV Programs Only

– Electrical Line Service and Repair

– Solar Photovoltaic System Design, Installation and Maintenance – Entry Level

– Solar Thermal System Design, Installation and Maintenance – Entry Level

• Degree & Certificate Programs/Courses– Electrical Distribution Technology (AAS/AS – 0646030101)

• Electrical Dist Technology Advanced (CCC – 0646030102)• Electrical Dist Technology Basic (CCC - 0646030103)

– Electrical Power Technology (AAS/AS – 0615030318)• Alternative Energy Engineering Technology (CCC - 0615050304)

Energy Cluster Working Group• Housed in Florida Department of Education Division of Career and

Adult Education – thanks to Kathryn Frederick!

• Chaired by Betsy Levingston of Lakeland Electric/ Co-Chaired by Jennifer Grove of Gulf Power; comprised of industry and education

• Goal is to keep curriculum current and market-driven by:

• Identifying occupations

• Developing 3-year program of work

• Overseeing implementation of program of work strategies, timeline & participants

• Adding web component to keep instructors up-to-date on hot topics and continuing changes in industry

• Our FEWC then shares this information with industry, workforce and education partners

Currently Underway

• Second year of Energy Industry Fundamentals• First year of Introduction to Alternative Energy• New Middle School Programs (grades 6 – 8):

– Introduction to Energy (semester-long course)– Introduction to Energy and Career Planning

(semester)– Fundamentals of Energy (1 year course)

• Academic Alignment of programs and courses with math & science

Academic Alignment

• What did we find?

A LOT OF SCIENCE IN

ENERGY CLASSES!!!

Sample Program Level Alignment:

Solar Energy Technology

Sample course level:

Introduction to Alternative Energy

• Comprised of teachers from throughout Florida who are now delivering or interested in delivering energy curriculum in the future

• Launched with first training session in June, 2011 at Gulf Power in Pensacola – partnered with FACTE

• Provide communications from industry/consortium to this network of teachers through email and have added teacher “toolkit” to FEWC website

• Second session was held June, 2012 (will be attended by reps from MS, KS, and CA too) – again with FACTE as a partner

Florida Energy Teachers Network

www.fewc.org (then click Energy Teachers tab)

Florida GIECP UpdateKey Partners:• Education partners (high schools, technical centers)

• State Workforce Board – Workforce Florida, Inc. – Youth Council

• Regional Workforce Boards (are providing WIA Youth Counselors to serve in career coaching role)

• Florida Ready-to-Work (Florida’s Work Keys Program)

• Carried out under guidance of FEWC Executive Committee

Florida GIECP Implementation Sites:

• Northwest FL Region: Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power– Gulf Power Academy at WFHS– Gulf Power Energy Institute at Milton High School– Electrical/welding programs at Locklin Tech– Youth STEM program in Okaloosa/Walton county this summer

• Polk County: Betsy Levingston, Lakeland Electric– Lakeland Electric Power Academy at Tenoroc High School– May add Traviss Career Center Electrical/welding programs

• Northeast FL: Sharon Patterson, JEA– STEM Academy at Raines High School

Career academy implementations

EIF is Embedded in Florida’s Energy Career Cluster

http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/energy_cluster_frame12.asp

• Most of these frameworks share 1st two common courses:– Energy Industry Fundamentals (CEWD curriculum

materials)– Introduction to Alternative Energy (NCCER curriculum materials)

• Energy Technician Course Framework – Energy Industry Fundamentals (CEWD)– Electricity 1 (NCCER Core, Your Role in a Green Environment)– Introduction to Alternative Energy (NCCER)– Electricity 2 (NCCER Electrical 1)

Most commonly

used in Florida

career academies

Additional GIECP format…

• Youth STEM/ Energy Summer Program through a partner regional workforce board -

– Funded by Workforce Florida, Inc. – state workforce board

– Embedded Career Coaching and EIF pieces of GIECP – goal was to refer to relevant technical training

• Students were enrolled full-time over the summer

• Students continue to meet regularly through WIA Youth program throughout year – focusing on remediation training, employability skills, and the math bootcamp

EIF Feedback from Year 1:• Solid course with great content and materials. Some

improvements need to be made (CEWD working on revisions).

• Detailed “train-the-trainer” and opportunity to learn from other instructor experiences is very valuable.

• Be sure to embed industry speakers and field trips along the way! Plan for this at beginning of school year.

• Key issues with end of course exam for high school students – working with CEWD and EIF Credential Advisory Committee on changes to address this concern.

• Recruited: 169• Met with Case Mgr: 118• Took Work Keys: 111• NCRC Silver or above: 72• Took Employability Skills: 20• Pass Employability Skills: 12

• Completed EIF: 79; EIF Currently enrolled: 26• Take pre-employment test: 11; Test Passed: 10• Total credentials earned: 224 (including NCCER)• Hired (paid internships) 12

Florida GIECP Metrics•numbers include WFHS, Locklin Tech, Milton High School, Okaloosa/Walton STEM Youth program, Raines High School – will add Polk County this winter

•ALL are enrolled in relevant program

Critical Success Factors• Meaningful partnerships at the state level with state Dept. of

Education and state Workforce Board are CRITICAL!

• True industry engagement – have to be in it for the long haul! Must engage at state level for policy and local level for implementation.

• Need platform to build teacher/program network throughout state – instructors need support of other instructors – especially with new curriculum!

• Don’t implement anything that doesn’t already fit your plan!

Finance Committee 2012• FEWC cash balance as of August 31 = $50,205.53

• FEWC Member Companies 2013– Tampa Electric (TECO)– Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)– JEA– Progress Energy– City of Lakeland (Lakeland Electric)– Florida Power & Light (FPL) – CLM Workforce Connection– Gulf Power Company

Future FEWC Events

• CEWD National Summit—November 14-16• Face to Face meeting schedule

• Others?!