Wpi and epce partner to offer graduate education in power systems engineering – entirely online

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Scott Bates, EPCE Marketing Director, 303-804-4675 EPCE Members Make History
Nuclear Partnership between Bismarck State Col ege & Exelon Generation Passes INPO Challenge Board (April 5, 2013, Denver) - April 3rd marks an historic milestone. The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP) Committee approved the issuance of NUCP certificates to eligible graduates of the Bismarck State College (BSC) Nuclear Power Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program. The NUCP certificate al ows graduates to be advanced placed in nuclear utility initial training programs. This is an historic milestone because the BSC program is an on-line degree program that enables student participation remotely at any time and from any place with a computer. “Bismarck State Col ege is proud to be the first on-line degree program to receive this important industry distinction al owing us to award NUCP certificates to qualifying students upon their graduation,” said Kevin Holmstrom, nuclear program manager at the Bismarck State Col ege National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE). “Online technical education is on the rise and this program is 'out in front,' meeting the high quality standards set by the nuclear industry,” said Jo Winger de Rondon, vice president at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). “Access is the key for students today. With their work, family and community commitments, online education is the only way many learners can 'go to col ege' these days.” “This is an important first for the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program,” said Russ Coon, vice president of Training for Exelon Generation. Exelon, through the coordination and oversight of the Energy Providers Coalition on Education (EPCE), entered into a partnership with Bismarck State Col ege in January 2011. That partnership is supported by several other EPCE member utilities, including American Electric Power, Arizona Public Service, Constel ation Energy Nuclear Group, Duke Energy, Dominion, South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company, and Ameren. The function of the partnership is to provide oversight and assistance to the col ege and ensure sustained compliance with INPO ACAD 08-006 – the INPO Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. The benefit to the EPCE member utilities is a solid pipeline of qualified candidates into initial nuclear training programs and shorter initial training programs. “EPCE is a quality group of industry leaders providing direction and input into the implementation and continuous improvement of the online nuclear power education program,” said Steve Gackstetter, director of Site Training for Exelon Generation and chair of the EPCE Nuclear Advisory Council. “We’re very excited about this achievement for this high-quality online program.” The Energy Providers Coalition for Educatio, is a national alliance delivering solutions to attract and engage the energy industry's workforce through quality online education. These programs offer interested candidates and incumbent workers technical skil s as well as academic knowledge needed for industry career paths in electric utilities including nuclear power. EPCE members, representing over two-thirds of the industry, champion industry needs in their joint efforts to develop and sponsor online curriculum with qualified accredited high schools, col eges, and universities. The EPCE program is a signature initiative of CAEL, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (www.cael.org), an international non-profit organization with more than 38 years’ experience in working with the public sector, private sector industries, and higher education institutions to ensure that adult students receive the most efficient training and education to occupy a meaningful professional place in a 21st century economy. Bismarck State Col ege's National Energy Center of Excellence offers online and classroom training for the energy industry. Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees can be earned, or courses can simply be taken for professional development and training. Classes are available in Electric Power Technology (distribution), Electrical Transmission Systems Technology (system operations), Power Plant, Process (refining, gasification, ethanol, biodiesel), Nuclear Power and Renewable Generation (wind, solar, tidal, hydro, biomass) Technologies. In addition, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Energy Management is available entirely online. The classes are offered in a convenient block-style format, giving students the opportunity to complete a class in 3-6 weeks. The National Energy Center of Excellence is also known for their non-credit offerings such as apprenticeship programs, customized training and NERC CEH courses.

Source: http://epceonline.org/sites/default/files/wysiwyg_imageupload/PR_Nuclear_Education_Program_Makes_History.pdf