Background: Community and Technical College state and system representatives from 9 MGA states met at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, hosted by Richard Longworth, author of “Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism”, on September 29, 2009 to discuss a multi-state regional approach to the training of the Midwest new energy economy workforce. There are approximately 230 public community and technical colleges in the MGA region, many of which are already heavily engaged in education and training in energy related fields. Some sharing of expertise and curriculum has occurred but much more is possible.
Mission: To create a multi-state regional and coordinated response to the need for a globally competitive workforce in the new energy economy.
Action Items: Actions to be accomplished as a result of the meeting include:
- Initiate a comprehensive inventory of energy related education and training programs already existing, including student capacity and demand, facility availability, employer demand, etc. at all MGA community and technical colleges.
- Organize a comprehensive “all-MGA” educational conference on key energy workforce topics, including closely related issues such as transitioning laid-off workers from the auto industry, etc. into energy related employment.
- Explore best-practices in remediation so that persons of all ages and backgrounds entering training can successfully take advantage of the education and employment opportunities.
- Make sure there is clear alignment of state and federal policies and workforce funding so that they best support students and employers in the education and training process.
- Better delineate stackable credit and non-credit competencies and credentials so that students can be educated at the pace and depth required by employers.
- Develop with industry comprehensive “career pathways” in new energy employment sectors with skills that are transferrable up and down the supply chain as the economy and demands change.
- Search for tracks of cooperation in curriculum, expertise, delivery, etc. between MGA colleges and across state borders to more efficiently deliver the education and training Midwest energy industries require, including the development of regional internships and initiatives already in place such as the Midwest Higher Education Compact, etc.
- Convene other state agencies as appropriate, including State Workforce Development agencies, to begin to aggregate labor and skill-shed studies and labor exchanges already in place or under development that would enhance our efforts.
- Include labor and apprenticeship programs in project development and execution.
- Develop and brand a multi-state regional energy workforce identity that celebrates the recognized Midwest work ethic.