Glendale Water and Power, the Verdugo Workforce Investment Board, and Glendale Community College’s Technology Division have won the 2010 Excellence in Partnership Award from the California Community College Association for Occupational Education (CCCAOE’s home page features the April 2010 award winners, including Scott Rubke of GCC).
The local partnership created Verdugo Power Academy to address the impending shortage of utilities workers. Fast-tracked with federal stimulus funds, the Verdugo Power Academy started up in fall 2009 and celebrated with its first graduating class in January 2010. According to the association:
The whole process went from concept to reality in five months with the excellent leadership of the award winners. Three 16-week, 600-hour classes were offered in 2009 and will continue in 2010. The class covers necessary skill sets for utility workers such as electrical line mechanics, technicians, craft workers and station electricians.
…The program was endorsed by a local consortium of 13 utility and power companies from Southern California, the Southern California Public Power Authority.
Verdugo Power Academy’s specialized training and collaboration with GWP is attracting students throughout the region. The Academy has also just received word that Southern California Edison approved its program, so graduates will have a range of employment opportunities.