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.
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
Mission
Goals and Strategies of the CoE
Goals
- Be the go-to expert & resource for labor market information, trends, gaps, & programs
- Assist CTC system & relevant education programs in developing a highly skilled workforce through robust & relevant educational programs
- Increase opportunities & partnerships that support expanding & diversifying the workforce
- Increase awareness of careers & career pathways
- Position the CoE to provide nimble support within industry
Strategies
- Strengthen Advocacy & Community Partnerships
- Increase Awareness of Careers & Career Pathways
- Monitor Funding/Grants to Increase Opportunities