Representatives from seven regional community and technical colleges and 25 regional economic development districts from four states converged on the NETL Morgantown site December 14 for the Laboratory’s second Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI) Workshop.

RWFI is part of NETL’s ongoing drive to develop externally-focused initiatives that align with U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) call for community outreach and educational opportunities that focus on future workforce needs.

At the workshop, representatives from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland community and technical colleges and economic development districts participated in a forum to discuss fundamental issues surrounding workforce and economic development issues in the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Visitors to the Morgantown NETL site also participated in laboratory tours and presentations that introduced them to emerging technologies for industrial development. The goal was to help the organizations align plans and programs to prepare a new generation of technical and skilled personnel.

NETL staff offered high-level descriptions of technologies, predictions for commercialization of technology elements, and assessments of the skill sets an operator/installer/monitor/technician will need for jobs associated with those new technologies.

Segments of the workshop were also devoted to an explanation of NETL external programs and funding opportunity announcement solicitations; how to engage NETL as a technology development partner; and the Laboratory’s student internship and fellowship opportunities.