The 5th national Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference (CEWEC) is scheduled for November 13-15, 2012 at the Albany Marriott, Albany, New York. This event offers the most current information on instructional strategies, curriculum development, credentialing and best practices for training in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. There will be more than 60 presentations over three days including a look forward at some new and thought-provoking next generation technologies and workforce needs.
Since 2004, The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc., (IREC) and The New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) have been providing a national platform for educating the renewable energy and energy efficiency workforce. In just seven short years, the conference has grown from 40 to 500 clean energy educators and trainers from all over the U.S.
As reviewed in a Clean Energy World article, IREC Executive Director Jane Weissman said:
“We’re working at an accelerated pace with industry, government and educators to attract and prepare a quality clean energy workforce, well trained in a broad range of technologies. This conference shares the latest best practices and priorities in training and safety, with the spotlight on the future, and the benefit of learning from the past.”
Here are some highlights:
Community-Focused Training – involving the community in workforce training programs, including learning techniques and mentoring programs for diverse populations.
Workforce for the Smart Grid – how community colleges and advanced degree programs are responding to the redesign of the power grid, and skill sets needed for incumbent and new workers.
Talking About Jobs – a look at labor-market analysis and differentiating between clean energy job forecasts and green jobs myths. A case study looks at retraining displaced Kennedy Space Center workers.
Online Training – the Next Generation. Learn about core learning principles and how 3D computer simulation embedded in a game-based framework is being used for renewable energy and energy efficiency training and testing.
Setting Training to Industry Standards – a variety of programs come in various forms and intensities, and offer a range of market value benefits. Learn about national and international approaches and how training and certificate programs do best by working in alignment with industry.
Strategies for Training – a look at some important models, including “learn-as-you-earn” internship/apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Also lessons learned from programs working with local public schools and community colleges.
The Value of Consortiums and Partnerships – regional approaches to training brings benefits and challenges. The design, structure and outcomes of five consortiums and partnerships will be discussed.
Additional break-out sessions include: Approaches in Course Development; Setting Training to Industry Standards; Integrating STEM into clean Energy Training; Teaching and Teacher Techniques; Responding to Market Needs; Hands-On Training; State’s Impact on Workforce Development: the NY Model; and Career Pathways Models.
Key issues in renewable and efficient energy will also be presented in 90-minute individual and panel discussions. Topics include:
Policy Impacts on the Workforce
Building an Industry Standard – What you Need to Know and Why
Planning for the Future Renewable Energy Market – What the Unions Are Doing
Creating a Benchmark for Quality – Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals
Training and Education in a Maturing Solar Energy
Photovoltaic Manufacturing Workforce Education and Training at CNSE
Building a Green Career lattice – How to Map Skills, Training and Jobs in the Clean Energy Economy
“This is the foremost event for sharing the most effective clean energy workforce development ideas from across the nation,” says Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the primary conference sponsor.
For more information about the conference, including a complete schedule of sessions and presenters, and to register, click here.
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