Energy Utility Technology October 27, 2008 This program is supported by a Preseident’s Community- Based Job Training Grant from the US Department of Labor

Outline of Presentation Grant and Partnership Details Accomplishments to date National Grid Participation Curriculum Recruitment Placement 7 Next Steps

Partners National Grid Middlesex Community College North Shore Community College Quinsigamond Community College

Program Facts Supported by President’s Community-Based Job Training Grant from US DOL $1.87M 3 Year Grant – Began January 2007 Operates at 3 colleges in partnership with each other and National Grid Leadership Team Nancy Alberto, North Shore CC Pam Arons, National Grid Kathy Rentsch, Quinsigamond CC Barry Werner, Middlesex CC, Program Manager

What Interested the Colleges National Grid seemed an ideal partner Helped with the grant writing Pledged tangible support to the colleges Would have worked with colleges even if we didn’t get the grant Would help recruit students Jobs were desirable – easy to recruit students High pay Great benefits Job security Good evidence of need for EUT workers

Grant Objectives Develop Certificate Programs at each college Create EUT Lab at each college Hire or Identify faculty at each college Recruit 162 students in 3 years Graduate 129 certificate students Place 100 students in energy utility jobs

Accomplishments Hired faculty Built labs for the program Developed curriculum Recruited, instructed and graduated students 58 began in September graduated in May, % passed CAST on the first attempt 33 graduates placed to date 60 students started classes in September 2008

National Grid Participation Search Processes Lab Development Curriculum Development Recruitment Faculty Training

National Grid Participation Donations Scholarships Equipment Practicum Visits to classes

Labs Colleges identified lab space for the programs Mutual agreement on lab equipment National Grid personnel helped determine what to order National Grid donated equipment Use system by LabVolt

Curriculum Curriculum Committee Pam Arons – National Grid Bill Dylengoski, North Shore Sharron Gillies – Quinsigamond Joe Kalus - Middlesex Ken Lomax – National Grid John McNamara – National Grid Neil Sheer – Middlesex Barry Werner – Program Manager

Curriculum Developed in the Curriculum Committee Similar Courses at each college Same textbooks Revised as we continue the process

Courses Fall Semester Intro to Energy Industry Technical Mathematics Electricity I Microcomputer Applications Spring Semester Industrial Safety Electricity II Generation, Transmission and Distribution EUT Practicum

Resume writing and Interview Skills2 weeks Training at NG Training Site8 weeks Tour of a Substation 1 week CAST Test1 week Tour of a Municipal Utility1 week

Activities and Recent Accomplishments CAST Testing 88% passed on first attempt 3 of 5 passed on second attempt Career Fair – 135 potential job seekers attended National Grid increased scholarship funding Aimed to increase women and minority participation $5,000 per college in first year $10,000 per college in second year Presentation at NEPPA

Activities and Recent Accomplishments Visits to class by industry personnel Visits to Municipal facilities (Shrewsbury and Concord) Classes in resume writing and interview skills Sharron Gillies training at National Grid

Incoming Class Demographics Gender Male – 53 Female - 1 Age > Ethnicity African American2 Asian, Pacific Islands2 Caucasian41 Hispanic5 Native American1 Other2 Education High School22 Some College28 Associate Degree4

Recruitment Efforts Recruitment has been very successful – More applicants than openings Admission standards are high Read and write at college level Ability to do basic algebra Efforts at High School Recruitment Open Houses High School Visits Career and College Fairs Work of Career Centers

High School visits to NG Training Site Ken Lomax talking to High School Students at NG

National Grid at a Career Fair Kate Darwin Showing a Service Truck to Students

Job Placement 31 students placed at National Grid so far 5 are in process of being hired 3 placed into local municipal utilities A few students have been offered jobs and declined them

Industry Participation in Classes August – Curriculum Team met to review the year Satisfaction with results Need for more industry participation in the classes Safety class requires person with industry experience Industry personnel should give guest lectures in the Intro to the Industry Course Looking for industry personnel to visit classes at Middlesex and Quinsigamond

A Great Partnership Colleges cooperated – did not compete Sharing National Grid Personnel are champions of the program Communication People like and respect each other

Sustainability Enrollment is sufficient to maintain the programs at the colleges How do we maintain the partnership?

Conclusion This is a model that works From college perspective – No brainer Lot’s of student interest in program Relatively inexpensive lab that is easy to maintain Good job prospects for graduates From Company Perspective Get good applicants Demonstrated Commitment Understand underlying principles of the work

Issues Colleges are short of money Companies will need to provide a robust commitment to the programs  Curriculum  Training support  Help with funding lab equipment  Recruitment Check out federal grants

Contact Information Barry Werner, Program Manager