Introductory Core Technical
Competencies
CEWD has, over the past year, convened a group of educational and utility partners to develop a set of
introductory core technical competencies to address the changes in utility hiring requirements and to increase
the sustainability of existing community college programs. With the identification of a set of introductory core
technical competencies and the courses that support them, a community college can offer common core
requirements and then direct students to the “technical major” programs as needed by the industry. Based on
their input and the discussions that were held at the 2013 NEEN meeting, CEWD has developed a process for a
utility and its partner school to apply to get CEWD Endorsement of its energy-related program(s) and a gap
analysis tool that can be used to identify gaps in the curricula and provide insight on what curriculum changes or
additions need to be made. The introductory core technical competencies support Tiers 6-8 of the Energy
Competency Model.
The gap analysis tool will be used by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) to determine if a
school’s energy related program should receive the CEWD Endorsement Stamp and if students taking the
courses can receive a Certificate of Completion by receiving a grade of 80 (on an un-curved scale) or higher in all
of the related courses. The process for conducting the gap analysis and issuing the Certificate of Completion is:
1. School completes the gap analysis at http://www.cewd.org/wizard/educators/align-4.php and submits it
by clicking the link at the bottom of the page. If the school has gaps, it can address them and then resubmit the analysis.
2. Utility partner completes the application form for its school program at
http://www.cewd.org/wizard/educators/align-4.php and submits it by clicking the link at the bottom of
the page.
3. CEWD reviews the gap analysis and, if there are no gaps, issues the Endorsement Stamp which can be
put on the school’s website.
4. As students complete the course work supporting the five core technical competencies, school sends a
list of the students to credentials@cewd.org
5. Julie enters the students’ names on the certificates and sends them to the school for distribution.
6. School signs the certificate and issues the certificates to the students.
The development and implementation of the
introductory core technical competencies is a
requirement of the grant awarded to Arizona
for Get Into Energy Career Pathways.
CEWD’s communications company has
developed the Stamp that endorsed schools
can add to their websites for each program that
teaches to the introductory core technical
competencies. Utility partners will be required
to complete an application form stating that its
educational partner meets the competency
requirement and should be endorsed. Community colleges will be required to re-certify their programs every
Rev. 1 8/25/14
three years and they will also be required to report annually on student progress including enrollment,
graduation and hiring.
The following are examples of courses that pertain to the introductory core technical competencies identified
for line workers, electric T&D technicians, power plant operators, generation technicians and gas T&D
technicians. The introductory core technical competencies are the same for each of the job categories. In
addition certification for CPR and OSHA 10 were identified.
CORE COMPETENCY
Print Reading
Mathematics
Basic Electricity
Safety
Hand & Power Tools
COLLEGE COURSE where competency might be
taught
Technical Diagrams
Introduction to Print Reading
Construction Standards
Technical Math
College Algebra
Algebraic Applications for Electrical Trades
Characteristics of AC/DC
Electrical Circuit Study
Electrical Fundamentals
Fundamentals of Electricity
Basic Electricity
AC/DC Fundamentals
Utility Safety
Industrial/Construction Safety
Introduction to Workplace & Safety
Operator Safety
Basic Mechanics
Mechanical Systems
Electrical Fundamentals
Detail competencies used in Gap Analysis
Safety Awareness: Complying with the procedures necessary to ensure a safe and healthy work environment
 Is cognizant of the environment and potential hazards
 Follows established safety procedures
 Evaluates changes in the environment with respect to their impact on safety of self and others
 Promotes effective local, state or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property
and institutions
 Complies with safety procedures and proper ways to perform work
 Understands potential threats created by deviation from safety procedures and improper use of tools
and equipment
 Follows safety procedures and uses safety equipment as specified by user manuals and safety training
 Uses personal protection equipment including safety glasses, work boots, hard hats
 Keeps personal safety equipment in good working order
 Uses tools and equipment in compliance with user manuals and training
 Calls attention to potential and actual hazardous conditions as they arise
 Alerts co-workers and supervisory personnel to hazardous conditions and deviations from safety
procedures in a timely manner
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Maintains appropriate certification and is knowledgeable in first aid or first response procedures
Demonstrates knowledge of lock out/tag out practices
Notifies person in charge and/or co-workers of unsafe work conditions
Uses appropriate equipment to ensure work site safety and to keep the public safe
Stops the job if there are unsafe working conditions
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems
 Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents; calculates
averages, ratios, proportions and rates
 Reads and understands tables and graphs
 Takes measurement of time, temperature, distance, length, width, height, perimeter, etc
 Correctly converts from one measurement to another
 Translates practical problems into useful mathematical expressions and uses appropriate mathematical
formulas and techniques
 Solves simple algebraic equations
 Is able to determine slope, midpoint, and distance
 Calculates perimeters, areas and volumes of basic shapes and solids
 Reads, tracks, and calculates gauge measurements
Basic Electricity
 Applies direct current (DC) concepts and laws; performs calculations and measurements including the
following:
 basic electrical circuits such as series and parallel, series-parallel combinations
 conductors and insulators
 direct current (DC) theory and DC sources (such as ideal voltage and current, non-ideal voltage
and current)
 electrical laws (such as Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws)
 electron theory
 units of electrical measurement (such as ohms, volts, amps, watts, coulombs, joules)
 voltage, current, resistance and power
 Applies alternating current (AC) concepts and laws and performs calculations and measurements
including the following:
 alternating current (AC) theory and AC sources (such as ideal voltage and current, non-ideal
voltage and current)
 basic electrical circuits such as series and parallel
 units of electrical measurement (such as henries, farads, reactance, impedance)
 passive components, capacitors, inductors
 single-phase versus three-phase
 voltage, current, impedance, real, reactive, apparent power and power factor relationships
Print Reading:
 Is able to read, interpret and create basic prints used in the design, operation and maintenance of
electrical systems including engineering drawings, diagrams and schematics - documentation diagrams,
single line diagrams
 Is knowledgeable of design techniques, tools and principles involved in production of precision technical
plans, blueprints, drawings and models
 Understands blueprint symbols
 Is knowledgeable of blueprint index and updating procedures

Draws master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact
specifications and dimensions
 Reads, understands and creates basic prints used in the design, operation and maintenance of
utility networks including engineering drawings, diagrams and schematics

Working with Basic Hand and Power Tools and Technology: Having capability to operate and troubleshoot
electric and electronic equipment, mechanical and electrical products
 Selects and applies appropriate tools or technological solutions to frequently encountered problems
 Carefully considers which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job and consistently
chooses the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand
 Demonstrates an interest in learning about new and emerging tools and technologies; seeks out
opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and
improving productivity
 Knows how to maintain and troubleshoot tools and technologies
 Uses basic computer technology to receive work orders, report progress and maintain records.
 Is knowledgeable of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance
Equal Opportunity Employer/ Program
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ASC-GIEC programs and services are funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s
Employment and Training Administration. Program materials were created by the grantee and do not
necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor.
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