ProposalSpace

You can participate in the 2012 Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference by submitting a short presentation proposal for consideration.

Presentations will be grouped into 90-minute sessions organized around a common topic.  Four or five speakers will be part of each session. 

We will limit the number of presenters for each breakout session.  This will allow time for added discussion.  We are also reconfiguring the format of the conference so that it will conclude with a general session rather than a track of sessions.  This will help prevent the end-of-conference, low-turnout conundrum.

A strong and well-trained workforce is essential for the rapidly growing clean energy markets. This fifth national conference for educators and trainers will offer the most current information on instructional strategies, curricula development, career pathways, and best practices for training in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. The conference will also look forward at some new and thought-provoking, next generation technologies and workforce needs.

PRESENTATIONS

The deadline for proposal submission is Monday, April 2, 2012.

Presentation proposals may not exceed 400 words. 

Presentations must address one the following topics:
Course and Program Development

• Developing Curricula
• Credit and Non-Credit Certificate Training Programs
• Effective Approaches and New Models for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Training
• Course Delivery – On-Line and On-Site
• New Instructional Design for On-Line Learning (simulation-driven scenarios, game-based learning, immersive 3D visualization, etc.)
• Continuing Education Programs
• Hands-On Laboratories
• State and Federal Programs Supporting Practitioner Training
• Funding Training Programs

 Pathways

• Career Ladders & Lattices for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
• Defining Clean Energy Jobs – Occupational Classifications
• Creating On-Ramps to Training, Credentials, and Jobs
• Creating a Pipeline from Middle School & High School to Two- and Four-Year Colleges and Beyond
• Sector Strategies

 Internships, Apprenticeships, and Workforce Readiness

• Labor and Apprenticeship Renewable Energy Training Programs
• Developing Partnerships with Industry, Government, or other Training Providers
• Industry-Sponsored Training
• Utility Industry - Deploying Renewables
• Internship Programs

 Quality Assessment

• Setting Skill Standards
• Certificate and Certification Programs
• Accreditation Programs
• Licensure

 Policy and Predictions

• Policy Impacts on Jobs
• Job Forecasts for the Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency Industries
• Predictions on Skills for the Next Two Decades - What's Ahead in the Clean Energy Sector?
• Smart Grid - Training for Rebuilding the Grid

If you have a topic that does not quite fit one of these categories, you may submit a proposal for consideration; however, selection will be based on merit and meeting the conference’s theme.

If you are submitting a proposal for a presentation, it must be about a new or unique aspect of one of the items on the topic list.  Each proposal will be evaluated on the basis of its contribution to the Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference.  Proposals should be well organized and results should be clearly defined.  Your proposal should outline what attendees will learn from your presentation.  Proposals that are more than 400 words will not be considered.

Sales pitches for products or companies will be automatically rejected.

If your proposal is selected, we will ask you to connect with your audience by keeping your slides simple and not cluttered with bullets and text.  Speakers should prepare to present without the use of a podium.  The breakout rooms will be arranged with an LCD monitor rather than the traditional screen.  Seating will be arranged in a semi-circle, theater style.

With fewer slots for presentations, there will be greater competition for selecting proposals for presentations. 

Along with your proposal, please provide a very brief introduction or biographical paragraph (no more than 50 words).  Please describe your level of expertise and competence on the topic.  Only one presenter per submittal will be accepted.  If more than one presenter is submitted, the first name listed will be used.

All proposals must be submitted using this online tool.

Speakers will receive a complimentary registration to the Clean Energy Workforce Education ’12 Conference Sessions on Nov. 14-15, 2012.  Workshops scheduled on Nov. 13, 2012 are not included. IREC is unable to cover travel and accommodation expenses for speakers.

The Conference organizers have the right to publish abstracts and presentations for the purposes of the conference.  By submitting a proposal, you are attesting that you are the owner of all content and have the authority to grant IREC or other Conference organizers permission to include the presentation abstract and visuals/materials in a compilation of conference proceedings.

The Selection Committee will meet in the spring of 2012 to review proposals and select speakers.   The conference schedule will be developed in the early summer. 

The conference will be held at the Albany Marriott, five minutes from the Albany International Airport.  Technical workshops will be held on November 13 and conference sessions will be on November 14 and 15.