Find out how the support received from the WISE grant is making a difference for students, in a series of articles recording the advances, best practices, and program development made possible through the WISE Grant.
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U.S. Energy Report shows Washington State leading the way in growth of energy efficiency jobs
The 2018 U.S. Energy and Employment Report was unveiled in Washington, D.C. on May 16, by Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), former Energy Secretary Ernest J. Moniz and others.
According to the new report, Washington State has 150,000 energy jobs, over a third of which are energy efficiency jobs. In addition, 2.8 percent of all U.S. energy efficiency jobs are in Washington, making the state a national leader. Nationwide employment in this sector is expected to continue to increase, with energy efficiency employment projected to grow another 9% in 2018, and energy efficiency construction jobs projected to grow by 11%.
“Our nation is embarking on one of the greatest economic opportunities, and that is a clean, efficient, energy economy,” said Senator Cantwell during the Capitol Hill event.
In 2016, Senator Cantwell hosted a roundtable at Pacific Northwest National Lab in Richland, Wash., with then Energy Secretary Moniz. The event marked the release of a study by Senator Cantwell that included information on the role that Centralia College’s Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy has played in developing an energy workforce throughout the state.
“The Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy has served the region for the past 12 years representing the needs and interests of the energy industry and labor partners. We are charged with narrowing the gap between employers’ demands for a highly skilled workforce and the college’s ability to supply work-ready graduates,” said Barbara Hins-Turner, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Clean Energy.
HydroVision International, June 26-28
The world’s largest Hydropower event will take place June 26-28, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
HydroVision International will provide recent graduates and job seekers with career information in renewable energy and green technology industries. Over 300 companies from around the world will be on hand recruiting new hires. Attendees will have access to more than 3,000 careers in computer technology, mechanical engineering, infrastructure redevelopment, biology, electrical engineering, and water resources management.
The Hydro Research Foundation and Hiring for Hydro program will provide information, and scholarships will be available for eligible registrants. For more information and to apply, see Hydro Young Professionals and HydroVision Hiring for Hydro announcement.
PNCECE Strategic Plan for 2017-2020
Over the past year, the PNCECE Advisory Board, comprised of energy industry and labor leaders along with education partners, thoughtfully considered the issues and challenges facing our Center, our students, Washington’s Community and Technical College system, and the energy industry in the Pacific Northwest.
We engaged with focus groups across Washington State for a candid assessment of our organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. We heard consistently that it is the strength of our partnership with industry, labor and education that has been the pillar of our success.
Since our founding in 2004, the Center’s impact has grown from five to 20 energy sector programs offered throughout the Washington State community college system. These programs support the industry’s diverse workforce needs and technological advances in niche areas of energy such as smart grid, solar, energy efficiency, hydro and wind energy technology, while continuing to support the core curriculum of power generation, transmission and distribution programs.
Read the full PNCECE Strategic Plan 2017-2020.
Washington Jobs Project: A Guide to Creating Jobs in Grid Modernization
The American Jobs Project seeks to provide a research-driven guide for state and local leaders who want to ensure quality jobs for Washingtonians.
The Washington Jobs Project: A Guide to Creating Jobs in Grid Modernization was created by the American Jobs Project in partnership with the University of Washington and Western Washington University. Information was obtained from dozens of interviews with government, nonprofit, academic, and business leaders in Washington.
The report summarizes Washington’s competitive advantage in grid modernization. It provides a guide for growing state industry by capitalizing on growing market opportunities and aligning manufacturing with critical economic system components — including access to capital, innovation ecosystems, and workforce development.
According to the report, with the right policies, Washington’s grid modernization industry could employ an average of 13,800 Washingtonians annually over the next 13 years.
The Washington Jobs Project is intended to stimulate discussion of future growth potential and opportunities for barrier removal in the grid modernization industry.
Read the full report:
The Washington Jobs Project: A Guide to Creating Jobs in Grid Modernization
Learn more, including a Policy Bank detailing best practices and innovative ideas for job growth in advanced industries:
American Jobs Project
Annual Best Practices Summit agenda now available!
On behalf of the Washington Clean Energy and Construction Centers of Excellence, we are pleased to share the full Program Agenda for the 12th Annual Best Practices Summit on June 1 and 2 in the new Centralia College TransAlta Commons building.
We have an exciting venue lined up ranging from Mark Taylor, an expert on multi-generations in the workforce and classroom, to best practice apprenticeship models in energy, construction, manufacturing, and cybersecurity.
New this year is an evening Northwest salmon and steak dinner with keynote on June 1. Chris Reykdal, WA Office of Public Instruction, will be talking about bridging K-12 and CTC workforce education. In addition, Governor Jay Inslee will be joining us for the social hour.
We hope that you are able to join us! Please register below.
Information and to Register:
12th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit
Program Agenda:
2017 Summit Program Agenda
We hope to see you there,
Barbara and Shana
Hydropower and STEM Career Academy, June 19-23
Attention High School Students! Meet and engage in hands-on activities with mechanical and electrical engineers, plant mechanics and operators, divers, and linemen!
Now is the time to apply for the week-long Foundation for Water & Energy Education (FWEE) Hydropower and STEM Career Academy at Chelan PUD’s Rocky Reach Dam in Wenatchee, WA, June 19-23.
STEM challenges will include exploring the physics of producing hydropower, racing solar cars, and flying drones.
The Academy is open to students throughout the Northwest with a GPA of 2.5 or better. Over the course of the week, educational pathways will unfold as students connect career options to four-year college, community college and/or apprenticeship options that best suit their interests.
“Here in central Washington, we are in the heart of the Northwest hydropower industry. There are thousands of exciting and dynamic jobs that can lead to high-paying and rewarding careers for area students to consider. The FWEE STEM Academy provides a wonderful opportunity for students to see what hydro has to offer,” said Chuck Allen, Grant County PUD.
To learn more about hydropower in the Northwest and to apply for the Hydropower STEM Academy, visit the FWEE Academy website and view the FWEE Hydro STEM Academy Video.
Make a difference in your community, apply for PSE apprenticeship opportunities
If you are looking for a hands-on job that may lead into an exciting and rewarding career in the electrical trades, PSE’s Pathway to Apprenticeship could be the right move for you!
Puget Sound Energy is seeking people interested in qualifying for future Pathway to Apprenticeship (PTA) opportunities in the energy sector. PTA jobs are entry level positions that may lead into Apprenticeship opportunities. These positions give you the opportunity to learn about the company and work with a diverse group of people while learning the tools of the trade.
PSE offers Apprenticeship programs in: Substation Wire, Hydro Electrician, Hydro Mechanic, Electric Meter and Combustion Turbine Specialist.
As Apprentice openings become available, they will be filled based on seniority by employees holding PTA positions.
Minimum requirements to test:
- 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED
- 1 full year of high school level algebra with a grade of “C” or better or college equivalent
Selection process overview:
- Deadline to apply is March 3, 2017.
- Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to take the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC) test for the electrical industry.
- Upon receipt of the online application a full packet of apprenticeship required forms and materials will be sent via email for completion and submission prior to testing.
- Supplementary application materials must be postmarked by 4:00 PM on March 24, 2017. No exceptions will be made. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure this gets submitted back to PSE.
- The NJATC test will occur on April 17, 2017 in Bellevue, WA.
- Applicants successfully scoring 7 or better on the NJATC test will be invited to interview. Applicants will then receive a score based off their interview and test scores and will be ranked in the PTA Qualified Pool.
- As PTA positions become available, they will be offered to those in the qualified pool in order of the combined scores.
- Successful candidates will be required to participate in PTA training opportunities.
- Those holding PTA positions are then eligible to bid on apprenticeship positions as they become available. This is in part of the occupational progression as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
Other:
- These are safety sensitive positions which are subject to random DOT drug and/or alcohol testing.
- These are IBEW Represented positions and the successful candidates will become members of the IBEW.
- The selected candidate will need to be able to obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
- Job opportunities will be throughout PSE’s service territory which covers much of Western Washington. Relocation may be required.
- Candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening including a physical capacity assessment (for ability to perform essential job functions).
- Pay for PTA positions will be at least $15.69 per hour. Apprentice positions start at $33.39 per hour.
For more information, contact: pseapprenticeship@pse.com
Program standards can be viewed at: http://www.lni.wa.gov.
Families and businesses depend on PSE to provide the energy they need to pursue their dreams. Our steadfast commitment to serving Washington communities with safe, dependable and efficient energy started in 1886. Today we’re building the Northwest’s energy future through efforts like our award winning energy efficiency programs and our leadership in renewable energy.
At PSE all employees are valued, respected and provided with the opportunity to excel professionally. We offer an expansive pay package that includes competitive compensation, annual goals-based incentive bonuses, comprehensive cafeteria-style benefits, 401(K), a company paid retirement pension plan, and an employee assistance and wellness program.
PSE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage persons of diverse backgrounds to apply.
Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at jobs@pse.com or 425-462-3017.
Cantwell: We must shrink the skills gap, invest in energy workforce training
Energy Department Releases New Data on Energy Workforce Employment
Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) applauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s new report on national energy employment and urged support of energy workforce training programs.
“This report reinforces findings from the Quadrennial Energy Review—we don’t have enough trained workers to fill the 1.5 million new energy jobs by 2030,” Sen. Cantwell said. “We must work to shrink the skills gap and fill the more than 300,000 expected new, good-paying energy jobs in 2017 alone, by investing in workforce training and apprenticeship programs.”
Commissioned by Secretary Ernest Moniz, the Energy Jobs Strategy Council (EJSC) today released the 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, which analyzes current and anticipated energy sector employment needs. The report found that 6.4 million Americans now work in the traditional energy and energy efficiency industries, which added over 300,000 net new jobs in 2016—14 percent of the nation’s job growth. Nationwide, the energy industry is expected to add 198,000 energy efficiency jobs, 78,000 transmission jobs, 76,000 solar and wind jobs, and 81,000 jobs in the motor vehicles sector in 2017.
Read the full news release »
BPA apprentice positions open
Entry level jobs available within the electric power trades.
Military vets encouraged to apply.
Apprentice vacancies for Electrician, Lineman, and Substation Operator have been announced at Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
These positions are open to apply from Friday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Feb. 3, 2017.
BPA is seeking individuals who desire a challenging, but highly rewarding, career in the electric utility industry. Our apprenticeship training programs are widely recognized for being among the best in class.
If you would like to start a career that will launch your future’s trajectory, please visit the links below for more information about the Bonneville Power Administration, the apprenticeship programs, and how to apply. To be eligible, you must be military; or a current or former Federal employee.
- Starting pay is $29.83 per hour
- Pay increases with each successful step increase (every 6 months)
- Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and paid vacations
- Overtime pay is double time
- Duty locations throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest
- Travel opportunities
- Get paid to learn a skilled trade that is in high demand
- Excellent promotional opportunities
For position descriptions and to apply: