nerc.aspVendors who provide training. This list is for information only, WECC neither recommends or endorses any training vendor.

Multiple pages of links (if any) can be accessed by the menu at the bottom of the page.

Bismark State College(BSC)                                                                                                                                                                                        The National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) is proud to offer the online Electrical Transmission Systems Technology (ETST) program. The ETST program was created in response to industry demand for qualified system operators.
This program is designed to teach students about the electrical power system in North America, including basic electricity, generation, distribution, and transmission, with a strong emphasis on system operations.  The program is also set up to offer NERC CEHs combined with college credit for those who wish to maintain certification requirements and work towards
a college degree.

Operations-Training-Solutions (OTS)
Development and delivery of training programs by Mike Terbrueggen.

Quality Training Systems - Sarah Lutterodt
Quality Training Systems provides a range of training and performance support services for the electric utility industry. Areas of expertise include training, power system operations, training and procedure development, human factors, power engineering, and management support. "The Quality Training Database" is a comprehensive tool that assists system operations trainers in the following essential functions: job and task analysis; course design; on-the-job training and record-keeping; preparation of ILA Applications and reports for NERC; scheduling training classes; preparing Individual Development Plans; maintaining records of employees; CEHs and annual EOps training; and much more. The Database is used in numerous System Control Centers and has received very favorable reviews during NERC Readiness Audits."

Electric Power Training Center (EPTC)
Offering a variety of NERC accredited CEH courses by highly experienced, knowledgeable, NERC certified instructors. Classroom presentations on power system operation theory, NERC Standards, WECC/MORC, case studies, restoration and emergency operations supplemented by hands-on demonstrations and problem-solving exercise on a unique, one-of-a-kind simulator. EPTC's training environment puts you in real-life situations and gives real-life experiences. Our miniature power system is a self-contained, fully operational power system simulator with more than 40 life-size panels of operator controls. It includes three generators, two substations, over 400 miles of simulated 230,000 volt transmission lines, a dispatch center and a variety of loads spread throughout the system. Our control system can be programmed to simulate events and consequences of outage events, such as the August 14, 2003, northeast blackout, giving students opportunities to respond to real-life events. Our testing center accommodates up to 30 students, and those seeking initial NERC Certification are given numerous practice tests providing the knowledge and confidence necessary for certification. Classes are designed to cover necessary standards and topics providing the students with the maximum CEH's possible. On-site classes are available and can be scheduled by contacting the EPTC.

System Operations Success International (SOS, Intl.)
SOS Intl provides training and compliance consulting to help energy professionals manage and adhere to the ever-changing NERC requirements. We help you develop individual performance and competencies, then combine them with effective team behaviors to ensure consistent, correct and timely response to both day-to-day and emergency system conditions.

We develop our training based on the latest research on adult learning, resulting in the highest levels of understanding and retention for our customers. Available learning methods include classroom, online and computer simulation, all of which can run on your own PC or laptop.

Our staff and consultants are well regarded in the industry for helping clients with compliance and certification-related issues.  Our trainers and consultants have extensive experience in the bulk electric industry. This provides you not just expertise, but the wisdom to help your organization meet its regulatory obligations. Our effectiveness allows you to invest your scarce training resources most cost-effectively.

SOS Intl's Training Services include:

• NERC Certification Exam Preparation
• NERC Credential Maintenance
• Training Consulting
• Initial Operator Training
• Job Task Analysis

SOS Intl's Compliance Consulting Services include:

• Gap Analysis
• Mock Audits
• Mitigation Plan Development
• Preparation for the potential effects of PER-005

Our staff can answer your questions, and provide a full range of training and consulting services to meet your compliance needs. To learn more, go to: www.sosintl.com. You may also email us at melanie.payne@sosintl.com or call us at (704) 752-3534. 

PReP Intl is the premier career development solution for the Energy Technology (ET) revolution. Using an extensive global network and Web 2.0 technologies, we know and connect professionals, teams, energy organizations, schools and associations. By improving quality of selection and assuring compliance, you reduce your risks/costs of recruiting and maximize your investments in training talent. PreP Intl is a global staffing company for sourcing experienced and capable talent, an agent for professionals seeking to build, grow and extend their careers, and a career development consultant for the new age in energy. We are and provide PREQUALIFIED READY EMPLOYEES FOR POWER. PReP Intl services assist you in three distinct interconnected ways:

1. Staff for short-term interim needs, contract-to-hire placements and/or hire permanent associates. Put PReP Intl talent in your shop on our payroll with your team to test the match.
2. Use scholarships and custom development to maximize the value of your connections with schools and associations to assure pipelines of talent ready to meet your hiring needs.
3. Develop Web 2.0 and social networking strategies as part of your workforce planning, branding, recruiting, assessment, selection and on-boarding processes to redefine how to become an "Employer of Choice", ready for attrition and stay ahead of change and regulations.

There are limits to Training. The most effective way to make sure your investments in training pay off is to be sure your selection and staffing processes lead to hiring professionals with the "right stuff". Contact matt.sadinsky@prepintl.com 704.641.4417 cell/704.752.6414 tel.

Operator Educational Services (OES-NA)
OES-NA is a training consultant organization committed to providing the personnel operating the electric grids of North America the quality training and necessary knowledge needed to assist in providing a safe and reliable electric system. We are dedicated to providing services to the industry utilizing our many years of operational experience. These services are available to individuals and organizations alike. Our goal is to provide course curriculum that will help those new to the electric industry as well as to provide updates on industry activities to those who are veterans in the operation of the industry. Outside the classroom, OES-NA has and will continue to offer electric industry participants a wide variety of consulting services for both training and operational needs.

PowerWorld
PowerWorld provides interactive power system simulation and real-time visualization tools. Our integrated Topology Processing Tool can enable system planning-type simulation on real-time, full-topology EMS system models. We also developed the simulation engine powering the Powersmiths OPS-X operator training modules.

Incremental Systems                                                                                                                                                                                Incremental Systems Corporation -- in partnership with PowerData Corporation -- provides an affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use Operator Training Simulator. The PowerSimulator is a long-term dynamic network simulator that is currently used to provide system operator's Continuing Education Hours through self-paced on line training. The PowerSimulator is also used for classroom-led training including Western Electricity Coordinating Council classes "Emergency Operations," "System Restoration," "Generation Balance," "Transmission Operations-Protective Relaying," "Transmission Operations-Voltage Control," and "Switching."

Customized PowerSimulators have the potential to model a utility's entire system, ranging from EHV transmission lines to distribution feeders. These custom PowerSimulators have been increasingly useful in helping maintain compliance to upcoming NERC standards such as EOP-005-2 and PER-005. For more information please visit www.powersimulator.net or contact Robin Podmore at robin@incsys.com.

Decision Systems International (DSI)
In charge of the EPRI-OTS Service Center and provider of OTS-based operator training for emergency operations, market simulations and others. Its internationally acclaimed Electric Power Program Series has been running since 1988 and focused on SCADA/EMS/DMS and market restructuring.

Siemens PTI
PTI (Power Technologies International), the provider of network consulting, software solutions and T&D training within Siemens, offers training programs addressing all aspects of power system engineering, including generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial/commercial utilization. Our programs are developed and taught by practicing engineers, who have built their careers around solving power systems problems throughout the world. As instructors, they offer their technical expertise and their years of on-the-job experience so that students can develop both the knowledge and the practical skills needed to meet today and tomorrow’s challenges. We provide continuing education programs for electric power engineers in private industry and the public sector. PTI teaches more than 1,000 students each year in programs including: standard classroom instruction – more than 70 courses taught each year, customized classroom courses specifically designed for your personnel, standard courses conducted at client site, PC-based self-study courses on advanced power system operation, web-based training, and hands-on training incorporating Siemens PTI's software (PSS®E, PSS®MUST and PSS®SINCAL).

Shaw Web Technology
Custom on-line training.

Fortech Software Consulting
Training records management.

Team Phoenix
Team Phoenix assists organizations design, execute and assess emergency preparedness training and exercises. We have over 20 years experience facilitating exercise design meetings, training seminars, and exercises - ranging from tabletop to full-scale exercises.

TTG Systems
TTG Systems has 30 years of experience delivering employee learning and performance solutions for major clients worldwide. With our Competency Analysis Profile (TM) methodology and TRACCESS (TM), our software, you can integrate job/process design, learning delivery and performance management in a single solution.

Applied Professional Training                                                                                                                                                                  Applied Professional Training (APT) is an accredited technical training provider in the Electric Power, Renewable Energy, and Telecommunications industries since 1993.  APT provides an opportunity for system operators to take instructor led, webcast and independent on-line distance training courses to gain NERC CEH's, College Credits and Associates Degrees.  APT's philosophy is to provide a development path of short courses that can earn a Proficiency Certification (PC) in Electric Power Systems with specializations including "System Operator" and then apply those courses towards an AS degree and beyond.  APT's PC program is made up of Level I "Competency" and Level II "Proficiency" courses that include power simulators as lab activities.

This program is a must for those interested in a productive and proficient lifelong career in electrical power systems.  APT's highly experienced staff shares intellectual knowledge, experience and engineering fundamentals to develop competent operators.  APT is a recognized leader in technical training with several industry and academic credentials.  Please visit  APT's website www.aptc.edu or call (800) 431-8488 for more information.

Powersmiths International, Inc.                                                                                                                                                             Powersmiths International, Inc. is involved in all three aspects of implementing and complying with the NERC Reliability Standards.

1) Compliance - Powersmiths offers services to provide you with a comprehensive review of your compliance program, assistance with Procedure, Measure and RSAW development and Audit preparation including mock audits.

2) NERC System Operator Continuing Education - Powersmiths has developed the most rigorous Power System Operator training in the business.  Its OPS-X simulator based program is approved for 40 NERC CEHs. One objective of this remarkable new software is to place the operators out of their comfort zone, in unfamiliar circumstances.  Challenged with a skinny power system, at faster than real time, operators immediately develop and test their natural instincts and reactions to real life situations.  OPS-X is designed for independent study.  It runs on your PC with no internet connection required. Our unique capability is that all training responses in the simulation are recorded and scored for the students review and improvement.

Powersmiths also offers on-site training using its OPS-X simulator.  These sessions carry NERC CEHs but are also excellent preparation for the NERC Operator Certification exams.  The sessions can be varied from 2-5 days depending upon your needs.

3) NERC System Operator Exam preparation - If you are preparing for the NERC Operator Certification exams and prefer a self-study program, we can provide you with options which include some of our OPS-X training and our text "Electric Power System Reliability-2010". Order from the menu: "EPSR-2010' text - $95. OPS-X Module I focusing on ACE, AGC, AVR and voltage control--$149.  Four additional OPS-X modules on contingency analysis, congestion mgmt blackstart and system protection are offered at $250 each. Details are available at www.opsxpert.com.

Electrikgrid Services
Quality training services at affordable prices Providing consultancy and training services for on-site NERC-approved CEH credit, WECC MORC training, on-site training, and affordable web-based training. The cutting-edge web-based training is a result of Electrikgrid Services partnering with L&K International-360 Training to provide that CEH training needed to satisfy requirements in Emergency Operations, NERC Standards, and coverage of a wide spectrum of subjects relating to operations. We also offer table-top training for that emergency restoration training that requires simulation or table-top drills. Jack Allen and Alan Parsons primary instructors. Telephone (707) 732-3505. You are invited to link up with www.electricgrid.com or any of the following: (control + double-left click) or ask us how you can have your own virtual university training site. http://www.electrikgrid.com/Training_Services/training_services.html (training info) http://www.electrikgrid.com/Training_Services/Training/training.html (web-training subject list) https://secure.360training.com/newvu/reg/courses.cfm?membership_list=1&formula_Id=0&asv=22685 (virtual university web secure access)

L&K International Training - 360 Training
L&K International Training provides over 2,100 courses to the generation, transmission, distribution and safety sectors of the power industry. L&K sells products in multiple languages and formats to over 100 countries. Additionally, as a NERC approved CE provider offering over 300 NERC approved hours through a private branded training portal, we've helped the world's best-known power and energy organizations maximize and enhance their training programs.

National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College                                                                                                                   Bismarck State College's National Energy Center (NECE) offers online education and training for all sectors of the energy industry including system operations.  The NECE is an approved CEH provider that offers skills-oriented training for system operators to maintain NERC credential maintenance at their own convenience.  NERC approved courses and training modules are offered at less than $22.00 per hour, available online and year-round.  CE Hours in topic areas including: emergency operations, standards, simulation and operations are available through the NECE.  Utilize the most convenient and comprehensive NERC-approved online training by registering today!

Grid Operation Targeted Training
Training the operators of the North American Electric Grid is a function of synchronizing the NERC standards with the NERC CEH program and then matching it to the student according to an effective strategy. We work with you to create the strategy, and provide insight in your selection of cost effective training resources.