Renewable Energy Industry Needs Assessment

Transcription

1 Renewable Energy Industry Needs Assessment A Partnership Between South Central Workforce Council, Western Wind Power and Columbia Gorge Community College December 2009 Report prepared and submitted by: Suzanne Burd Columbia Gorge Community College 400 East Scenic Drive The Dalles OR sburd@cgcc.cc.or.us

2 Introduction Interest in renewable energy sources and specifically wind energy has increased significantly in the past five to ten years. The world economy has rekindled an interest in developing alternatives to petroleum based fuels from sources such as wind, sun, biomass and water. As these technologies develop, new job opportunities are being created and pose a unique opportunity for workforce development to be at the forefront of training skilled employees to meet the upcoming job demand. This survey is an update of an industry needs assessment originally conducted in 2006 to determine skills sets for wind turbine technicians, including the demand for this occupation. A partnership between Columbia Gorge Community College, Mid- Columbia Council of Governments and the Region 9 Workforce Investment Board formed to conduct the assessment. Funding was obtained through the Department of Oregon Community Colleges and Workforce Development. To develop the Wind Turbine Technician Training program, a consortium of workforce and wind energy industry representatives was convened. Consortia members met to address the current and future workforce needs of the Pacific Northwest wind and energy industry, and to determine the most effective way to prepare the workforce to fill the growing demand for skilled workers. While focusing on the wind industry, the project also identified skill sets common to technicians in other renewable fields such as hydro, solar and biofuel. A one- year Certificate of Technical Education and Associate Degree of Applied Science Renewable Energy Technology were launched in Needs Assessment Survey In the fall of 2008, workforce development partners in Oregon and Washington called for an updated needs assessment to inform the partners on relevant skills sets and to determine projected workforce needs by the wind industry. During March of 2009, a new consortium was convened with leadership provided by Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) and Washington s South Central Workforce Development Council (SCWDC). Funding was obtained for this project through a grant from SCWDC and the Tides Foundation. Columbia Gorge Community College, in conjunction with Washington s South Central Workforce Development Council and Western Wind Power, a wind energy consulting firm, began an update of the 2006 workforce training needs assessment study for the renewable energy industry. This report addresses the findings of this most recent study. The goals of the needs assessment were: Analyze the occupational demand for wind turbine technicians in Oregon and Washington. Identify needed skills and qualifications to inform an existing training program and start- up programs. Itemize existing and future wind projects in Oregon and Washington. Identify key contact personnel at wind farms, wind farm developers, and turbine manufacturers. 1

3 Project Schedule The following table shows the project schedule as originally planned. Activity Milestone Date Project Start Date Identification/Recruitment of Skill Panel Representatives Project Staff Hired First Skill Panels Meeting - Project Kickoff. Project manager to hold regional meetings, research workforce skill requirements and niche specialties. (review project goals) Selection of sub contractor Skill Panel Meeting review sub contractor work plan Skill Panel Meeting sub contractor progress report Educational institution collaboration surrounding curricula requirements, training delivery options, and Skill Panel Meeting - - sustainability planning, project evaluation, action strategy/plan development. Skill Panel Meeting - Advisory committee wrap up meeting in Yakima County Final Review of Final Report and Action Plan Final Workforce Plan for Renewable and Alternative Energy submitted to WETCB February 2, 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 July 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 February 2010 April 2010 May 2010 Methodology In order to facilitate the consortium meetings and data gathering, a Renewable Energy Skills Panel was formed and planning sessions were held with Western Wind Power (WWP), Columbia Gorge Community College and South Central Workforce Council. A total of four meetings were held; two prior to the needs assessment and two after. The Skills Panel members designed the survey instrument. Western Wind Power compiled a list of wind industry developers, operators, and manufacturers. A separate list of regional wind farms including projects currently operating, in the permitting process, or under construction, including company contacts was completed. A representative from CGCC, SCWC, and 2

4 WWP visited the wind farms and conducted face to face interviews. Some interviews were conducted using telephone conferencing. A total of twenty nine wind farms located in 14 counties were indentified including Gilliam, Harney, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union and Wasco in Oregon; and Benton, Columbia, Klickitat, Kittitas, Skamania, Walla Walla and Yakima counties in Washington. Because of the specific data the team needed, and for other compelling reasons such as size and proximity, only 13 wind farms completed the survey. Participants Consortium members are listed here with complete descriptions of the key members. South Central Workforce Council: The project was funded in part and co- chaired by SCWC. Serving Yakima County, SCWC provides an effective, comprehensive, and fully integrated delivery system of services for successful employment. SCWC brings together business, economic development, employment, training, education, labor, and social services to share responsibility for universal access and workforce development. Columbia Gorge Community College: The College provided leadership for the project. The College serves over 6,900 individuals over five counties in Oregon and Washington in its various programs including college transfer, professional technical, basic skills development, business and industry training, and community education. Western Wind Power - Industry Consultant: Western Wind Power is a small- medium project company specializing in community and land owner cooperative renewable energy projects. The company is involved in creating a community wind market in the Pacific Northwest. The principal worked for Northwestern Wind Power as development and operations manager of the 24 megawatt Klondike Wind Farm in Sherman County, Oregon and was project manager of a 10- mile transmission line connecting the wind farm into the local grid. Renewable Energy Skills Panel Members Patrick Baldoz, South Central Workforce Council Kris Barnum, Clark College Peggy Bryan, Economic Development, Skamania County Suzanne Burd, Columbia Gorge Community College Martin Campos- Davis, WorkSource Columbia Gorge Mike Canon, Economic Development, Klickitat County David Gonzales, South Central Workforce Council Kris Latimer, Oregon Consortium/Oregon Workforce Alliance Nathan Hull, Perry Technical Institute Ignacio Marquez, Employment Security Department, Washington State Mike Milford, Perry Technical Institute Denny Newell, Economic Development, Klickitat County Angel Reyna, Yakima Valley Community College 3

5 Dan Spatz, Columbia Gorge Community College A.K. Wintzer, South Central Workforce Council Paul Woodin, Consultant, Western Wind Power Findings In 2006 there were 55 wind turbine technicians employed by a regional wind industry producing just over 900 megawatts. 1 By contrast, at the conclusion of the 2009 needs assessment there are 4,705 megawatts installed using 471 technicians. 2 As a direct result of input from the wind industry the following findings were identified. The data is presented in aggregate upon request of the survey respondents. A total of 471 technicians are currently employed in the region A total of 707 technicians are anticipated within 5-10 years A total of 4,705 megawatts are built A total of 7,068 megawatts are anticipated within 5-10 years Skills sets currently taught in CGCC s Renewable Energy Technology Program are adequate Entry level technician starting wages average $19.50 per hour Mid- level technician wages average $26.50 per hour The number of technicians is estimated using a ratio of 10 technicians per 100 megawatts of generating capacity installed. It is anticipated that the next wave of construction will take 5-10 years, with the majority within five years. Several projects will be built later, but the majority of new technicians will be needed within five years. After the construction phase, the need for most new technicians will be due to attrition. Currently wind companies report that attrition has been minimal, so future workforce needs will likely be in the 3-5% range of working technicians. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports that in 2009 alone, as many as 700 new wind technicians were needed to keep pace with installations of new wind capacity. Many of these new technician jobs were, and will continue to be, created to service projects completed as a result of American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. 3 Skills sets were ranked in order of importance. A complete list of desired skills sets is included. The top three skills indicated were: Ability to work safely Ability to lift up 50 pounds Ability to climb 260 feet 1 Needs Assessment White Paper: Training for Careers in Wind Turbine Technology, Columbia Gorge Community College, April 16, Western Wind Power, Paul Woodin report, September AWEA, Wind Industry Will Offer Seal of Approval for Wind Technician Training Programs at U.S. Community Colleges, December 16, AWEA tracks national statistics. 4

6 Other relevant skills identified in order of importance were: Ability to work under adverse conditions Use of electronic testing equipment Use of voltage meters Use of amp clamps Use of megohmmeters Use of hydraulic torquing Ability to read schematics Ability to effectively take detailed instructions Ability to work as a team player/team builder Ability to work independently Self motivation Verbal communication skills Accountability Written communication skills 5

7 Survey Instrument 1 Not Important 2 Relevant 3 Important 4 Critical Core Technician Skills: Specialty Skills High School/GED Metric/millimeter conversion Geometry, equations, algebra Computerized diagnostics Use of Electronic testing equipment Voltage testers Amp clamps megohmmeters oscilloscopes hydraulic torquing Understanding of cranes and rigging Ability to read schematics Ability to us 2D drawing tools Basic Mechanics Basic Computer Skills Basic Welding Electricity (single phase, three phase, etc ) Gearboxes/Pumps (overhaul, sizing for job) HVAC Hydraulics Lubrication Machining/drill press operation Material selection (for the job) Welding/cutting Fiberglass repair Blade pitching Wind speed measurement Ability to climb 260 foot and lift up to # Ability to work under adverse conditions Ability to work standing for long hours Safety Skills specific to wind farm construction, siting, component repair, warehousing, supply chain logistic Skills related to transmission system upgrades Need for new skill sets as turbines age new skill sets for future generations of turbines, including larger or smaller turbines Soft Skills Accountability Verbal Communication Non-Verbal Communication Written Communication Decision making skills Effectively give detailed instructions Effectively take detailed instructions Goal oriented Independent/self motivated Innovative Interpersonal skills Productivity Team builder/player Time management What name would be most relevant to your needs? Wind Turbine Technician Site Supervisor Wind Power Structure Construction Worker 6

8 Are current skill sets of CGCC RET still relevant to your needs? 1. Does your company currently employ Wind Turbine Technicians? Yes No 2. What training needs do you have for your current workers? Please indicate 3. Please indicate the # of megawatts your company has in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Installed Under Construction Permitted and not started yet 4. How many new Wind Turbine Technicians will you hire in How many Wind Turbine Technicians will you need to replace in Salary Range What is the salary range for entry level technicians? What is the salary range for mid- level technicians? What is the salary range for site supervisors? 7. My company is interested in sending employees to Columbia Gorge Community College to obtain training as a Wind Technician. Day Night Weekend Other 8. Have the hiring needs for wind turbine technicians changed during the current economic conditions? If so, to what levels? When economic conditions improve, what are your predictions for the numbers of technicians that you will be hiring in the Pacific Northwest and other regions of the country? My company would be interested in providing work-study internships to students enrolled in a Wind Turbine Technician program. 9. My company would be interested in investing time, equipment, resources to help refine Wind Turbine Technician training. Yes No 10. Is there a need in your company to hire graduates who have some business management course work to prepare them to be hired as project managers or assistants? Do these positions require a BS degree and if so, would it be your recommendation for the college to develop dual enrollment with universities to increase the availability of project managers? If so, what are your projections for the number of positions available? 11. Do you anticipate R&D investment in our region? Yes No 12. Please indicate which post-warranty services, materials, and supplies will be critical to your company. 13. Does your company anticipate manufacturing in our region Yes No If your answer is yes, what type of skills will be required? 7

9 14. As the wind industry evolves, will there be a need for our graduates to have course work related to power integration and management Yes No 15. What skills would you identify for: Transmission System Upgrades Substation Maintenance and Operation 16. As the wind industry evolves, will there be a need for our graduates to have course work related to power integration and management? Yes No 17. Do you anticipate investment in other renewable energy resources: solar, geo-thermal, biomass, hydropower, or others? Yes No Company Name: Mailing Address: Contact Name: Address: This survey is funded in part by grants from The Tides Foundation and the Washington State South Central Workforce Council 8