NEEP Summit Delivers Highly Successful Workforce Development Workshop
by Melissa Lucas, Senior Program Manager for Regional Initiatives
In conjunction with the 2009 Northeast Energy Efficiency Summit, NEEP hosted a workforce development workshop in Albany, New York. The workshop provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn about state efforts in developing the energy efficiency workforce, even in the current economic downturn. Workshop participants gained knowledge about available education and job training programs; state policies and federal stimulus resources; and opportunities for regional collaboration. The Workshop featured two back-to-back panel sessions on current energy efficiency workforce development related issues.
Facilitated by Wanda Reindorf from the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC)/Conservation Services Group, the panel session, What’s Happening in the States? A Look at Northeast Workforce Development Efforts featured updates from three states and a snapshot of their energy efficiency workforce development activities. Kevin Doyle from Green Economy shared information on Massachusetts activities, including the creation of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and an overview of the NECEC’s Energy Efficiency Workforce Needs Assessment Project in Massachusetts. Adele Ferranti from the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided information on workforce development activities in New York State, including an overview of NYSERDA’s various workforce development partnerships in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Kim Stevenson from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund wrapped up the session with an overview of the Fund’s Workforce Development’s activities, including an overview of the Connecticut Renewable and Energy Efficiency Economy Baseline Study.
The second half of the workshop featured a panel of education leaders who each shared an overview of their energy efficiency training or education program, facilitated by Susan Holmes Newton from National Grid. Paula Hayes from Hudson Valley Community College provided an overview of their Workforce Development Institute, including an overview of their partnership with NYSERDA and Long Island Power Authority to provide a Building Science curriculum and training program (based on the Building Performance Institute program). Nora Sherman from the City University of New York (CUNY) provided an overview of their Stakeholder Consortium and how it’s leveraged to guide the activities of the CUNY Building Performance Lab, including their Student Intern Energy Program. Brian Degon from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) then shared information on WPI’s Corporate and Professional Education program, including recent work with National Grid for professional development. Finally, Marion Gold from the University of Rhode Island’s (URI) Energy Center completed the session with her review of the statewide URI Energy Center and their fellowship program which offers students hands-on projects in the energy field to gain experience and assist employers in the state.
Presentations from the workshop are available on NEEP’s Summit website.
In addition to the workshop, NEEP offered a hands-on training called, Introduction to Building Performance Contracting, from Joseph Miuccio, Center for Energy Efficiency and Building Science at Hudson Valley Community College. The four-hour training offered a close look at the tools and practices used to assess the efficiency of a home. In addition to looking at home energy analysis, the training featured at a look at the following topics:
- House as a System
- Airflow Simulation
- Blower Door Testing
- Insulation Effectiveness
- Comparative Analysis
- Return on Investment.
For more information about the Summit including a full list of sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and to register online, please visit http://www.neep.org/Summit
For more information about workforce development for energy efficiency, please contact Melissa Lucas.
