EPCE News and Information
Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) welcomes JEA as a new member
Denver, CO (August 23, 2007): JEA recently joined the industry coalition, Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE), to work collaboratively with electric power utilities and industry associations across the country in developing quality online learning solutions designed to address workforce development needs of the industry.
The JEA electric system currently serves more than 400,000 customers in Jacksonville, Florida and parts of three adjacent counties. JEA, the largest community-owned utility in Florida and the eighth largest in the United States, is committed to its purpose--to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve, with a spirit that has united the business for more than 100 years.
"We see enormous value in joining EPCE by being able to offer online education that is both utility specific and meets the needs of employees," said Blake Osner, manager of Employee and Leadership Development at JEA. "The EPCE coalition itself is a cross section of the entire industry and a resource that helps provide a great creative solution to any workforce development issue you might have," Osner continued.
JEA owns and operates three generating plants and all transmission and distribution facilities. A fourth power plant, the St. Johns River Power Park (SJRPP), is owned jointly by JEA and the Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and operated by JEA. JEA is also a municipal water and sewer provider and serves more than 300,000 water customers in their service territory.
EPCE (www.epceonline.org) was created in 2000 by energy industry representatives and the non-profit Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) in response to the workforce retirement issue that is projected to significantly impact the industry in the next one to five years. EPCE's mission is to develop standardized online courses and programs to train and educate the current and future utility workforce.
In partnership with educational institutions, EPCE sponsors online AAS and BS degrees, certificate programs, targeted training, and high school programs. All EPCE programs are designed based on industry-driven requirements and the needs of working adults.
For more information on EPCE and the EPCE-sponsored online learning programs offered, visit: www.epceonline.org
The Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) is managed by CAEL, a non-profit organization, and partners with: Ameren, American Power Dispatchers Assn., American Public Power Assn., Arizona Public Service Co., DC Cook Nuclear, Dominion Nuclear Business Unit, Duke Power, Entergy, Exelon, Florida Power & Light, JEA, Madison Gas & Electric, Minnesota Power, National Grid, Nuclear Management Co., National Rural Electric Cooperative Assn., Northeast Utilities, Northwest Public Power Assn., OG&E, Pepco Holdings, Inc., Pike Electric, PJM Interconnection, Sierra Pacific Resources, Tennessee Valley Authority, Xcel Energy, IBEW Local 2304 and affiliated IBEW Locals, among others.