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Educating the Next Generation Energy Workforce

Idaho Rural Partnership Board of Directors MeetingJuly, 14, 2010

Melinda HamiltonDirector, Education ProgramsIdaho National Laboratory

Mission Ensure the nation's energy security with safe,

competitive, and sustainable energy systems and unique national and homeland security

capabilities.

Vision INL will be the pre-eminent nuclear energy

laboratory with synergistic, world-class, multi-program capabilities and partnerships.

Idaho National Laboratory

Achieving the Vision

• Leading Nuclear Energy

• Multi-program Excellence– National and Homeland Security– Energy and Environment

• Modern Facilities and Capabilities

• Outstanding People

• Excellence in Operations and Community Service

Filling the Workforce Pipeline

Maximize the impact that the INL has on enhancing Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

education in Idaho

Provide students with hands on experiences to

better equip them for the workforce

Develop a pipeline of technology program

graduates with skills to enter the workforce or articulate

into 4 year programs

Enhance incumbent employee capacity

consistent with INL missions

Why Change What and How We Teach?

Innovation

New Job Skills

Global Citizenship

New Ways of Thinking

U.S. 15-yr olds ranked 24th in math literacy and 26th in problem-solving in 2003

global assessment

60% of all new jobs in the 21st century will require

skills possessed by only 20% of the current United

States workforce.

Over 70 million baby boomers will retire and be replaced by only 48 million workers

Example: Power Industry

• The “United States is facing a critical shortage of trained professionals to maintain the existing electric power system and design, build, and operate the future electric power system”

• The electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industry employees about 400,000 people

• 30-40 % of electric power workers will be eligible for retirement by 2013.

• To maintain current electric generation system, the industry will need 20,300 technicians and 11,200 engineers by 2013

Reference: National Commission on energy Policy’s Task Force on America’s Future Energy Jobs

How Many Energy Jobs are There?

National Commission on Energy Policy - 2010

These are engineering and

engineering technology

jobs!!

Idaho is No Different

DOL projects by 2016

• Need for Computer Engineers to grow over 50%

• Need for Agricultural Engineers to grow 25%.

• Need for Environmental Scientists and Specialists to grow over 20%

• Need for Medical Scientists with Doctoral Degree will grow 25%

These areas require:•Critical Thinking•Problem Solving

•Use of Technology•Math and Engineering fundamentals

Idaho is Falling Behind

• 45% H.S. graduates going on to college

• 62% of those return after their freshman year

• 30% at or above proficient on NAEP Math Scores (2005 data)

• 38% at or above proficient on NAEP Science Scores (2000 data)

Data from National Center for Higher Education Management Systems

2008 Major Private Employers in Idaho

• Albertsons Inc.

• Battelle Energy Alliance- INL

• BYU-Idaho

• CH2M-WG Idaho

• Fred Meyer Inc/Kroger

• Hewlett Packard Inc

• J. R. Simplot Co.

• Micron Technology, Inc.

• Potlatch Corp.

• St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center

• St. Luke's Regional Medical Center

• Wal-Mart

• Wells Fargo Bank

Some INL Hiring Challenges• Positions needed

– Nuclear Science and Technology• Nuclear Engineers• Nuclear Operators• Mechanical Engineers• Control Technicians

– Applied Engineering• Electrical Engineers• Chemical Engineers• Computer Engineers with Process Automation Expertise

• Skills needed:– Problem Solving– Hands on Experience– Broad Application- Diverse Projects– Aptitude with Technology, Instrumentation and Control– Communication skills and literacy

• Problems:– “They Come, They Learn, They Leave”– We recruit better for Applied Engineers locally

STEM Education Can:

• Interest students in STEM careers

• Expose students to new ideas

• Stimulate innovation and critical thinking skills

• Meet Education Standards AND integrate into existing curriculum

• Prepare Idaho students for 21st Century careers

i-STEM Resource Centers

Physical Resourcesto Support

Project-Based and Inquiry-Based

Methodologies in the Classroom

Virtual Resources

Linking TeachersTo Professionals,

Curricula, andFunding Opportunities

Academies,Hands-on

Workshops, and ProfessionalDevelopment Opportunities