1. Donna M. Curry Lane M. Winchester
teicc@energizetn.org

2. The Energy Consortium Concept
The Energy, Industry and Construction Consortium concept
was created on August 28, 2007 during a Skilled Labor
Summit in Biloxi, MS, as a partnership among:
– Electric and natural gas utilities
– Nuclear and industrial construction
– Utility associations
– Education
– State offices
– Department of Labor
– Workforce investment and other affiliated or support
organizations concerned with the emerging workforce planning
issues affecting utilities

3. TEICC’s Mission and Vision
“Collaboratively building tomorrow’s
energy workforce pipeline today”
Industry, education and community leaders working
together to ensure a best-in-class workforce that meets
the needs of the energy industry in the Tennessee Valley,
to build awareness of and interest in the opportunities for
high tech, high wage, and high demand jobs.
www.energizetn.org

4. TEICC’s “Parent” Organization
The Center for Energy Workforce
Development (CEWD.org)
How do we build a diverse, qualified pool of workers who have the right
knowledge and skills to enter critical energy industry positions
at the right time?
Get Into Energy Career Pathways (GIECP):
Students and Potential Applicants -Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation grant for GIECP for low-income young adults.
Troops to Energy program.
Educators – identified competencies, industry-recognized credentials
and uniform curriculum.
Employers - over 25 states have energy consortia. Collaboration with
industry, education and government.

5. Opportunity in Motion
•An aging baby boom population will create significant shortages in
many career fields
•A technology-focused economy has created a need for highly-
trained, tech-savvy workforce especially in the energy sectors
•Energy sector training programs are gateways to high paying
careers
•The industry is growing:
•Advanced manufacturing capabilities
•Continued efforts to build on current base load energy sources
•Alternative renewable energy sources

6. The Hidden STEM Economy
http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/06/10-stem-economy-rothwell
•Policy makers have overlooked a strong potential workforce
that draws from high schools, workshops, vocational schools,
and community colleges.
•These workers are critical to the implementation of new ideas,
and advise researchers on feasibility of design options, cost
estimates, and other practical aspects of technological
development.
•Skilled technicians produce, install, and repair the products and
production machines patented by professional researchers.
•These technicians also develop and maintain the nation’s
energy supply, electrical grid, and infrastructure.

7. Occupational Requirements for
STEM Knowledge
• As of 2011, 26 million U.S. jobs—20 percent of all jobs—require a
high level of knowledge in any one STEM field.
• Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a four-year
college degree, and these jobs pay $53,000 on average—a wage
10 percent higher than jobs with similar educational requirements.
• Half of all STEM jobs are in manufacturing, health care, or
construction industries.
• Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations constitute 12
percent of all STEM jobs, one of the largest occupational
categories.
• Other blue-collar or technical jobs in fields such as construction
and production also frequently demand STEM knowledge.
http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/06/10-stem-economy-rothwell

8. STEM-ORIENTED ECONOMIES
• Job growth, employment rates, patenting, wages, and exports are
all higher in more STEM-based economies.
• Concentrations of these jobs are also associated with less income
inequality.
• Of the $4.3 billion spent annually by the federal government on
STEM education and training, only one-fifth goes towards
supporting sub-bachelor’s level training, while twice as much
supports bachelor’s or higher level-STEM careers.
• STEM knowledge offers attractive wage and job opportunities to
many workers with a post-secondary certificate or associate’s
degree.
Policy makers and leaders can do more to foster a broader
absorption of STEM knowledge to the U.S workforce and its
regional economies.
http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/06/10-stem-economy-rothwell

9. Putting STEM to Work!
The Energy
Industry’s
success relies
on advanced
technologies
and a highly
skilled
workforce.

10. TREEDC & TEICC PARTNERSHIP
TREEDC Mission:
To promote and connect renewable energy with
economic development and energy efficiency for all
Tennessee communities.
TEICC Mission:
Collaboratively building tomorrow’s energy workforce
pipeline today!
Economic development is only possible through
a qualified workforce!

11. • Growth and support for the renewable energy industry in
Tennessee
• Meeting the future needs of industry through workforce
development (WFD)
• Combining efforts instead of multiple requests to industry and
communities
• TEICC experience in WFD outreach and national CEWD
support
• TREEDC’s statewide network of 92 city and county mayors and
businesses
• Increased awareness and support of TREEDC and TEICC at
the State and National levels
BENEFITS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP

12. TREEDC & TEICC PARTNERSHIP
1. “Career Outreach” to local schools to provide information
on energy efficiency and to stimulate interest in careers in
energy.
2. “Careers in Energy Week” to underscore career pathways in
the energy sector.
TEICC is Tennessee’s only Energy workforce consortium dedicated
to building the energy industry’s workforce pipeline.

13. Career Outreach
to over 20,000 individuals during the past 3 years
– 3 Career Awareness events for regional middle
schools—3,000 students per event
– Over 10 Job Fairs throughout the state—number of
job seekers ranging from 300 to 1,600 per event
– Tennessee School Counselor & Administrator
Leadership Conferences (2). Approximately 1,200
Counselors at the events
– 3 State SkillsUSA Conferences – 1800 attendees per
event

14. TREEDC & TEICC PARTNERSHIP
“Careers in Energy Week”
- Tentative dates February 16 – 21, 2014
- Mayoral Proclamations
- Competition with prizes to be awarded
(class tours of local energy facilities)
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
TO HELP WITH THIS PROJECT!

15. TREEDC & TEICC PARTNERSHIP
We look forward to working with TREEDC
– To promote and connect renewable energy with economic
development and energy efficiency for all Tennessee
communities.
– To collaboratively build tomorrow’s energy workforce pipeline
today!
Donna M. Curry Lane M. Winchester
teicc@energizetn.org