ELMA, WA, JULY 14, 2011: The Regional Education and Training Center at Satsop recently hosted the 6th Annual Energy and Construction Best Practices Summit. The theme for this year’s event was Smarter Grid Innovations 2011 focusing on evolution of our national electrical grid. The conference was attended by nearly 200 sector professionals from 11 different states representing industry, labor, public sector, and educational institutions. The annual summit is presented by the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy at Centralia College, the Construction Center of Excellence at Renton Technical College, and the Regional Education and Training Center at Satsop.
The Keynote address was delivered by Roger Woodworth, the Chief Strategy Officer from Avista Utilities. The Summit featured roundtable discussions on smart grid technologies, skill standards, changes in energy careers, and new educational programs. The summit was funded by a Department of Energy Smart Grid Workforce Grant to Centralia College, a National Science Foundation Grant to Edmonds Community College, and support from sponsors including IBEW 46, Lab Volt, Incremental Systems, and Overton Safety Training.
“The Satsop site is an ideal training ground for the energy sector and the summit highlights the opportunities for education and innovation that exist in Grays Harbor County for the energy sector” said Ryan Davis, Executive Director of the RETC. “We look forward to next year’s event being even larger.”
The RETC is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to the improvement of the Workforce in the Pacific Mountain Region and beyond. The RETC works with private industry, educational institutions, government agencies, labor partners, and other community organizations to provide training opportunities at our Satsop Campus and through online learning opportunities.
Satsop Business Park is a 1,700-acre mixed-use business and technology park attracting diverse manufacturing, telecommunications, technology, commercial and distribution companies. Satsop is home to more than 30 businesses and 440 acres of developed, pad-ready land and buildings supported by super-sized infrastructure and surrounded by 1,300 acres of forest land. The Park is managed by the Grays Harbor Public Development Authority, a public corporation whose mission is to create new jobs and investment for the region.
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If you have questions or would like more information about this event, contact the RETC by phone at 360-482-1755, or email at kathryn.fredrick@retcs.org. Please visit our website at http://retcs.org/ for information on training and events.
