Workforce Training

Workforce training and transition are colossal concerns for the US electricity industry. The average age of power plant craft workers is 50 (the highest of any industry), and 30% of them are expected to retire within the next 10 years. The sad truth of the matter is that there already aren't en...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Power 2006-06, Vol.150 (5), p.26-31
Main Author: Peltier, Robert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Boilers
Coal
Community colleges
Curricula
Education
Electric power
Electric utilities
Employees
Energy industry
Engineers
Internships
Labor force
Learning
Occupational training
Operations management
Power plants
Professionals
Schools
Students
Technical services
Training
Vocational education
Workers
Workforce
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Summary:Workforce training and transition are colossal concerns for the US electricity industry. The average age of power plant craft workers is 50 (the highest of any industry), and 30% of them are expected to retire within the next 10 years. The sad truth of the matter is that there already aren't enough competent operations personnel to go around, and the shortfall is growing. The rigor required to become an OM professional is exemplified by the intense, three-year training program of the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, which offers an associates degree in power plant technology. The program is designed to be hands-on from orientation through graduation. At Williamson, classroom and laboratory learning are complemented by work in the on-campus power plant and supplemented by summer and inter-semester internships and co-op positions with local gencos. Williamson's unique combination of hands-on technical training, academic study, character development, and values education has given thousands of students the foundation they need to succeed in the power industry or any other career they choose.
ISSN:0032-5929
1936-7791