Willamette University's Utility Management Program has trained more than 300 managers and individual contributors from a wide variety of electric and gas organizations since its inception in 2005.
Learn to Lead
Through this highly-interactive course, participants gain knowledge and expertise in the industry while developing professional competencies critical for utility management roles. The program is taught by subject matter experts with extensive experience in their field, professional trainers, and as well as Willamette University MBA university professors.
Participants gain a big picture view of the business of utilities, learning how functions within the organization are integrated with one another. Extensive coursework is provided in:
- Utility strategy
- Utility finance and budgeting
- Utility resource planning
- Customer engagement issues
- Rate design and rate setting regulation
- Stakeholder relations and negotiations
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Leadership development training and ethics
- Executive presentation skills
Practical Experience
Through interactive case discussions, simulations and exercises based on case studies of real utilities, participants are able to apply what they learn immediately to their current jobs. This increases their personal effectiveness and value to their employers. When four or more participants come from the same utility, they have the opportunity to focus on their own company as they complete the final strategic plan exercise.
Each class includes participants from different utilities, allowing them to network with their peers so they learn from each other as well as from the instructors.
Certification
Participants who successfully complete the 10-day course of study receive a certificate of completion from Willamette University MBA. Participants may apply to receive four semester hours of academic credit or complete the program for non-credit professional training. Questions regarding semester credit at the graduate level can be addressed to Karen Arthur.