• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
1
North Central Indiana WIRED NetworkPurdue UniversityQuarterly Narrative Progress Report Q1, 2009
Section I: General Grant InformationA. Grant informationGrantee Name:
Purdue University via the Indiana Department of WorkforceDevelopment
Name of Project:
North Central Indiana (NCI) WIRED Network
Agreement #:
WIRED-5-59
CFDA#:
17.261
 Quarterly Reporting Period:
January 1
 –
March 31, 2009
Date:Contact Persons:
Scott HutchesonPurdue Universityhutcheson@purdue.edu (765) 494-4277Ed MorrisonPolicy Advisorefmorris@purdue.edu (216) 650-7267Peggy HoseaPurdue Universityphosea@purdue.edu (765) 236-0955
B.Summary of General Grant Activities
As our region, our state and our country face financial uncertainty anddramatic increases in unemployment, the NCI WIRED region finds itselfwith an unmistakable advantage that stemmed from the WIRED grant.Our ability to react quickly to change, to pull together key civic leaders toaddress current issues and to develop action plans has been significantlyimproved by the activities of the past three years.The dense network of committed individuals and organizations created in the region haspositioned our efforts for rapid turn-around and increased efficiency. Whether reviewingprograms such as the Inventrek Skunk Works (a concept in September 2008 and an
 
2
actuality in Q1 2009) or the formation of a team committed to re-engage and re-directthe workforce, the NCI region has exhibited a swiftness to take action that many othercommunities lack.Understanding the need for actionable workforce data and information, NCI had alreadyundertaken a complete study prior to the worst of the economic downturn. That report,now nearing completion, will have real-time relevant data that has been constructed tohelp guidance counselors and educators better comprehend the needs of employersand how to modify curricula to meet those needs. Communities will also find this reportinvaluable to assess the state of the workforce in their area, identify gaps and createaction plans.
Throughout this report, you‟ll find examples of the payoff now being seen from the
WIRED efforts. Current programs continue to yield measured outcomes. And withdiligent evaluation of the investment portfolio and reallocation of our financialcommitments, programs that have been in queue are in final stages of development.New programs stretch the reach of our boundaries and will provide unique learningopportunities for our workforce.As the WIRED banner gradually descends throughout 2009, the Regional LeadershipInstitute is gaining recognition and is positioned to continue the role of an active Civicgroup that will address key issues.
C. Status Update on Strategic Partnership ActivitiesPartnership updates follow:
Business Innovation
 
Energy Systems Network:
The Energy Systems Network (ESN) is a partnership of private firms,research institutions and public agencies focused on bringing new
energy technologies to market, leveraging Indiana‟s strong
manufacturing sector, R&D capabilities, and heritage of engineering
advanced energy systems. (Read more about Governor Daniel‟s announceme
nt here.)  Paul Mitchell, former policy advisor to Governor Daniels (and previous WIRED lead atthe state level), now serves as President and CEO of the ESN.To maintain and strengthen the connections between the WIRED region (an earlypartner)
and the state‟s Energy movement, IESN hosted a fireside chat in
WestLafayette on March 11
th
. Prospective entrepreneurs and businesses within theemerging alternative energy and electric and hybrid electric vehicle markets wereinvited to participate in this skill-building event.
 
3
Those in attendance learned about successfully launching and running “energy
-
related”
businesses in the current highly volatile market. John Waters, President/CEO of Bright
Automotive, appointed by Governor Daniels as Indiana‟s Energy Entrepreneur in
Residence, discussed key challenges in the electric and hybrid electric vehicle arena;Mike Hudson, CEO of I Power Energy Systems, addressed distributed power as well asthe ability to leverage distributed sources of bio-gas for power production; Scott Princewith EnerTech
 –
Heartland Energy Fund provided information about the dramaticallyevolving ability to tap capital markets for energy firms.With concentrated work needed in this emerging field, activities of the strong leadershipat ESN will prove beneficial to the NCI region in multiple ways.
Industrial Energy Efficiency:
As more employees are trained in the skills of maximizingEnergy Efficiency, the significant ROI of this training isnoted and NCI companies are spreading the word. Duringthe 1
st
quarter, two additional companies have committedtheir employees to the training program bringing the total #of companies to 26 with 317 worker-days of time invested.The return on that investment now exceeds $2M per year in terms of the energy savings
resulting from the participants‟ new skills.
 A new module has been created for individuals who do not deal with the technicalaspects of energy-intensive equipment such as boilers and compressors, but who areinvolved in financial decisions affecting them.
The new module is entitled „IncorporatingEnergy Efficiency into Financial Decision Making‟ and incorporates several activities to
engage attendees. Early feedback was very positive and additional sessions areplanned.Success of the program is being touted in various media such as INside Edge, BizVoiceand GreenBiz.com. Read the GreenBiz article here. 
Green Worker Certification:
 
The first delivery of the Green Generalist (G101) training was conducted atDrug Plastics, Inc. in Oxford, Indiana, with fourteen managers and supervisorsparticipating. The Company was sufficiently impressed to prepare a writtenendorsement of the training and has expressed their intent to send
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...