About the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy

The Center, or CoE, provides strategic coordination for the energy industry’s skilled workforce in Washington state and within the Pacific Northwest.

PNW Center of Excellence for Clean Energy logo

About the Clean Energy Center of Excellence

Founded in 2004, our impact reaches energy-sector programs throughout the community and technical college system. These programs support the industry’s diverse workforce needs as well as technological advances such as smart grid, solar, energy efficiency, hydro and wind energy technology; as well as emerging technologies including EV transportation, hydrogen, biofuels and fusion – while continuing to support the core curriculum of power generation, transmission, and distribution programs. Graduating students have been placed into high skills, high wage energy industry jobs across the Pacific Northwest region — they are an important component of the state’s strategy of sustaining an innovative and vibrant economy.

About the Centers of Excellence in Washington

The Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges supports 12 Washington State Centers of Excellence that serve as economic development drivers for the state’s leading industries. Each Center, strategically placed throughout the state’s education system, focuses on a targeted industry that drives the state’s economy and works to bridge the gap between industry, education, labor, and leadership in Washington. Key roles include:
  • Connect industries to a pipeline of qualified workers
  • Inform educators of emerging trends and requirements
  • Ensure that lawmakers understand industry needs
  • Improve the relevance of a community college education
  • Elevate Washington’s economy to the national stage

Vision

Our vision is to be a national model in developing partnerships among business, industry, labor and education — for the purpose of enhancing economic and workforce development initiatives that meet the needs of the clean energy industry.

Mission

Our mission is to support the transition to a cleaner energy future through the development of a highly skilled workforce that meets the needs of industry.

career connect washington logo
The Center proud to partner with CleanTech Alliance as the Career Connect Washington Sector Leader for Clean Technology & Energy.

centralia college logo

Centralia College is designated as our home campus, and we work statewide to achieve our purpose. Watch as we grow our Energy Technology program. 

Goals and Strategies of the CoE

Goals

Build CoE awareness with stakeholders across the state to:  

  1. Be the go-to expert & resource for labor market information, trends, gaps, & programs
  2. Assist CTC system & relevant education programs in developing a highly skilled workforce through robust & relevant educational programs
  3. Increase opportunities & partnerships that support expanding & diversifying the workforce
  4. Increase awareness of careers & career pathways
  5. Position the CoE to provide nimble support within industry

Strategies

Goals provide pathways to strategies, strategies include tactics to meet each goal.  
  1. Strengthen Advocacy & Community Partnerships
  2. Increase Awareness of Careers & Career Pathways
  3. Monitor Funding/Grants to Increase Opportunities

For more information on the CoE, check out our other pages:

Advisory Board

Staff

If you’re interested in the history of the CoE, a new History & Archives page is on the way!

This page will include accomplishments, grants, and projects the CoE has been involved in.