Formation of a Workforce Development Program
After a successful partnership with EcoCAR in 2009, U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities launched the Clean Cities University Workforce Development Program (CCUWDP) in Summer 2010. As with EcoCAR, CCUWDP is managed by Argonne National Laboratory, and uses the same administrative procedures and staff to provide support on topics that students need in their Clean Cities jobs or as EcoCAR outreach coordinators. The program has included more than 85 interns and has involved more than 43 different Coalitions nationwide since its inception. The program has become a huge success among coalitions. The CCUWDP students have helped coalitions and coordinators rebuild websites, assist in data and market research, develop press and media materials, launch social media accounts, plan workshops and events, and more. The CCUWDP has also had a high success rate with job placement within local Clean Cities, government, and industry. Students within the program have gone on to work for such companies as dSPACE, Inc., Bayer, Frito-Lay, Edelman Public Relations, and more. Several students have also obtained jobs within Clean Cities, including Jamison Walker, an intern for three semesters with the CCUWDP and now Assistant Project Manager at Virginia Clean Cities. Prior to joining the CCUWDP, Walker studied renewable and sustainable energy at James Madison University. As an intern, he learned the importance of renewable energy and how valuable his experience was with the CCUWDP. “The Clean Cities internship program was a very valuable part of my education, and, as exemplified, a cornerstone to the start of my career,” said Walker. “Being a part of this program is like being on the leading edge of the much needed emerging energy market.” With the success of the past six CCUWDP semesters, Clean Cities is proud to announce it will continue the program in Summer 2012!
Continuing the Partnership with EcoCAR 2 The beneficial partnership between EcoCAR and Clean Cities continues to grow with the latest U.S. Department of Energy AVTC. Launched in Fall 2011 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors, EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future challenges 15 universities across North America to reduce the environmental impact of a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu without compromising performance, safety and consumer acceptability.
Clean Cities is once again a sponsor of EcoCAR 2 and is proving funding for outreach research assistants at each university. This partnership allows the two U.S. Department of Energy programs to collaborate more efficiently. CCUWDP students working in coalitions that are nearby EcoCAR universities are designated point of contacts with their fellow EcoCAR outreach coordinators to build new local initiatives. This year, Clean Cities is proud to announce the ‘Best Collaboration with a Clean Cities Award’ for EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future. EcoCAR 2 students have the opportunity to submit a video highlighting the collaboration with a Clean Cities Coalition and the chance to win $1,500 each for their university and partnering Coalition. The winning university will be announced in May 2012.
What is Next?
As the CCUWDP will begin its seventh semester in Summer 2012, Clean Cities and Argonne National Laboratory are pleased to announce it will include four new Coalitions to the program, bringing the total to 47 different Coalitions since the CCUWDP was founded! Throughout the next two years, Clean Cities will continue to partner with EcoCAR 2 in hopes of promoting the importance of adopting advanced technologies and alternative fuels to reduce our nation’s dependence on imported oil. For more information on the Clean Cities University Workforce Development Program, visit the internship section under the Coordinator Toolbox. To learn more about EcoCAR 2, visit www.ecocar2.org.
Spring 2012 | FuelsFix.com
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