History & Archives
The CoE has been providing strategic coordination for the energy industry’s skilled workforce in Washington state and within the Pacific Northwest since 2004.
- Browse the highlights below on the history of the CoE
- Jump to the bottom of the page for more information on grants and projects
- Check out publications on the Resources page (under the Industry menu option)
If you have any questions or would like inquire about a potentially archived document/publication (noted with an *), please feel free to reach out to us or check out the Resources page linked above.
2021
New Director: Monica Brummer
Publications:
- Commissioned Seattle Jobs Initiative Report: Clean Energy in the Bonneville Administration Area*
- July 2021-June 2022 Strategic Plan*
2018
WISE Grant Project Statistics complete.
Publications:
- 2018 Year in Review*
- Energy Education Resource Guide*
- Utility Foreman Standard*
2017
Hosted the 12th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Solutions for a Multi-Generational Workforce, June 1-2, Centralia College.
Publications:
- 2017-2020 Strategic Plan*
- WISE Mid-Term Report*
- Participated in the publication of Washington Jobs Project: A Guide to Creating Jobs in Grid Modernization*
2016
Participated in the first Foundation for Water and Energy Education (FWEE) STEM Summer Academy hosted at Chelan County PUD.
Hosted the 11th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Building an Energized Future, May 18-19, Bates Technical College, South Campus.
Publications:
- Energy Education Resource Guide*
- Mechatronics in Washington State: Manufacturing, Energy and Marine Sectors*
2015
Participated in a panel presentation for the Association of Community College Trustees’ (PowerPoint: Washington State Centers of Excellence: A Vital Strategic Asset*).
Attended the 24th Annual Chair Academy International Leadership Conference, April 7-10, Seattle, WA. The Washington Centers of Excellence were recognized as Organizational Team Exemplary Leadership Honorees.
Senator Cantwell visited with staff, students, and stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy in Centralia; April 9, 2015; The Chronicle.
Hosted the 10th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Clean Tech: Washington’s WISE Future, May 28-29, Bates Technical College, South Campus.
2014
Centers of Excellence celebrate 10th year of workforce development for Washington.
Partnered with the Washington State Labor Council and industry partners to promote Careers in Energy Week, October.*
Hosted the 9th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Sustaining Our Nation’s Infrastructure, June 18-19, Centralia College.
NSF Grant participation, award numbers: 1400490, 1406320, & 1400699. (See below.)
U.S. Department of Labor; Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Round 4 grant. (WISE project, see below.)
Publications:
- Skill Profiles for Energy Management Occupations*
- Sustainability and Postsecondary Education in Washington State, WSU Briefing Paper*
2013
Hosted the 8th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: EmPOWER the workforce-BUILD the economy, June 19-20, Regional Education & Training Center, Satsop Campus, Elma WA.
Partnered with Washington State Labor Council and industry partners to promote Careers in Energy Week, October.*
Center of Excellence for Clean Energy and Centralia College achieve 145 percent hiring target as part of U.S. Department of Energy Smart Grid Workforce Training grant.*
Publications:
- Workforce Challenges of the Electric Power Employers in the Pacific Northwest, WSU labor market study*
2012
Hosted the 7th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Energizing America’s Workforce for Tomorrow, June 20-22, Regional Education & Training Center, Satsop Campus, Elma WA.
Partnered with Washington State Labor Council and industry partners to promote Careers in Energy Week, October.*
Publications:
- Greener Reality: Jobs, Skills, and Equity in a Cleaner U.S. Economy, Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS)*
- Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy, Partner Evaluation Report, prepared by the Saflund Institute*
- A Powerful Workforce, Washington Business article, Spring 2012*
- Centralia College Installs Wind Turbine to Power Lab, The Chronicle, May 2012*
- Workforce Trends: What You Can Do Today, Western Energy, Spring 2012
2011
Name changed to Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy.
Centralia College and the Center of Excellence received recognitition as a national finalist for the Bellwether Award in the Workforce Development category.*
Governor proclaims October 17-21, 2011 Careers in Energy Week.*
Hosted 6th Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Smarter Grid Innovations, June 23-24, Regional Education & Training Center, Satsop Campus, Elma WA.
Publications:
- Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy, “A Centralia College Partnership” Annual Report, July 2010-June 2011*
2010
NCEP Task Force work puts CoE on national map.*
Senator Cantwell announces $11 million for Smart Grid Workforce Training, April 8, 2010.*
NSF Grant participation, award number: 1002931 (see below).
U.S. Department of Energy Smart Grid Workforce Training Grant (see below).
Hosted the annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Sustaining Innovation, June 24-25, Regional Education & Training Center, Satsop Campus, Elma WA.
Publications:
- Washington State Center of Excellence for Energy Technology Annual Report 2009-2010*
2009
Centers of Excellence codified into state law, officially named the Washington State Center of Excellence for Energy Technology.*
Skill Panel/Skill Standard project launded for Wind Turbine Technicians.
Hosted the Annual Energy & Construction Best Practices Summit: Sustainability in the Green Economy, June 25-26, Regional Education & Training Center, Satsop Campus, Elma WA.
Publications:
- Northwest Energy Efficiency Taskforce (NEET) Report, Recommendations, Action Plan*
2008
Hosted Annual Best Practices Summit, June 26-27, Pacific Mountain Regional Training Center, Satsop Campus, Elma WA.
2007
Skill Panel/Skill Standard Project launched for key occupations in the energy sector.
Hosted Energy Summit, June 21, Satsop Development Park, Elma, WA.
Publications:
- Center of Excellence for Energy Technology Newsletter, Winter 2007 (U.S. Representative Brian Baird visit)*
2006
Name changed to Center of Excellence for Energy Technology.
Hosted Energy Research Summit, June 21-22, Satsop Development Park, Elma, WA.
Publications:
- Center of Excellence for Energy Technology Newsletter, Summner 2006 (Governer visits Centralia College Center of Excellence)*
2005
The Center of Excellence for Power Generation and Transmission established by the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.
Hosted 1st Annual Energy Technology College Summit, July 20, Centralia College.
Grants & Projects
2014
NSF Grant participation; Advanced Tech Education Program
- Recipient: Bellingham Technical College
- Award number: 1400490
- Start Date and Estimated End Date: July 1, 2014-June 30, 2018
- Award Amount: $199,996
- Grant Partners: Bellingham Technical College, Western Washington University, Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy
- Goal: Develop an Associate in Applied Science-Transfer Degree (AAS-T) in Sustainable Energy.
- Recipient: Centralia College (lead), WISE project: Washington Integrated Sector for Employment (consortium)
- Start Date and Estimated End Date: October 1, 2014-September 30, 2018
- Award Amount: $9,994,854
- Grant Partners: Centralia College, Everett Community College, Shoreline Community College, South Seattle College, Renton Technical College, Green River Community College, Walla Walla Community College, Bates Technical College
- Goal: Bring together manufacturing, clean energy, and construction sectors to create employment opportunities for TAA impacted workers and other participants using stacked and latticed credentials and pathways.
More information:
- Recipient: Spokane Falls Community College
- Award Number: 1400699
- Start Date and Estimated End Date: August 15, 2014-July 31, 2017
- Award Amount: $199,924
- Grant Partners: Community Colleges of Spokane, Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy
- Goal: Initiate a professional development program for K-12 and community college faculty where participants develop problem-based learning communities to provide a pipeline to technical careers that have become part of the green economy.
- Recipient: Seattle Central Community College
- Award Number: 1406320
- Start Date and Estimated End Date: August 1, 2014-July 31, 2018
- Award Amount: $862,080.00
- Grant Partners: Seattle Community College District, Washington State University, Edmonds Community College. Recruitment: Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy, King County Department of Community and Human Services, and ANEW (Apprenticeship & Non-traditional Employment for Women)
- Goal: To prepare technicians for the sustainable building science technology workforce by designing a Baccalaureate of Applied Science (BAS) that meets the needs of students and employers and incorporates industry recognized credentials, recruiting and retaining students from targeted populations.
2010
- Recipient: Centralia College (establishing the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy within Centralia College)
- Start Date and Estimated End Date: July 15, 2010-July 15, 2013
- Award Amount: $4,998,859 (DOE share), Total Project Value: $11,831,977
- Grant Partners: Northwest Energy Efficiency Taskforce, Bonneville Power Administration, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Avista Utilities, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Idaho Power, IBEW, AFL-CIO, Veterans Conservation Corps, Community Colleges and 4-year Universities
- Goals:
- Deliver Smart Grid training for utility workers in a four-state region of the Pacific Northwest (WA, ID, MT, OR).
- Create an online Smart Grid training and information portal for utilities, businesses, and consumers through the Regional Education and Training Center
- Share best practices on Smart Grid training using a regional approach
More information:
- Recipient: Edmonds College
- Award number: 1002931
- Start Date and Estimated End Date: August 1, 2010-July 31, 2014
- Award Amount: $628,253
- Grant Partners: Edmonds Community College, Cascadia Community College, Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy, and Washington State University Energy Program
- Goal: To develop skills profiles that specify the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the development of a successful energy efficiency workforce.