TVPPA’s Certified Power Executive (CPE) is comprised of 9 modules.
Leadership Bridge
2 Days: This course provides a basic survey of electric utility operations, from generation at the power plant to distribution to the end-use customer. Participants learn how to improve business transactions for customers. This is a basic overview course targeted only for the non-technical employee or board member. Topics covered include power generation, high-voltage transmission, distribution systems and more.
Introduction to Pricing & Rate Design
2 Days: Energy technology continues to change metering, efficiency and customer expectations for innovation. Understanding pricing and rate design at the distributor level and how it must flex to keep up with new technology is more critical than ever. Participants will learn about principles of rate design and pricing, types of generation and pricing, how to determine costs and revenue requirements and much more.
Understanding Human Resources
2 Days: During this course, participants will explore utility-specific management and human resources practices as well as exploring smart hiring practices, how to write an effective job description, compensation, employment law and more.
Utility Law
2 Days: Participants in this course will examine some of the legal challenges that can arise in electric utility management including issues related to the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, TVA and government relations, system design, contract use and negotiation, and many other potential legal concerns.
Meeting Management
1 Day: Meetings tend to consume a large amount of a manager’s time, however, most people do not properly prepare to either lead or participate in such meetings. This workshop teaches participants how to analyze meeting types, determine appropriate meeting design, and apply targeted facilitation skills to improve meeting efficiency (time) and effectiveness (outcomes).
Conflict Mediation
1 Day: Supervisors and managers spend a portion of their time addressing conflict issues in the workplace. Conflict can be positive or negative. However, unaddressed conflict frequently escalates, resulting in additional loss of productivity. Proper mediation of conflict can result in a 25% reduction in the time required to reach a resolution. Participants learn and practice skills to proactively address conflict and use the appropriate mediation style to achieve resolution.
Dynamics of Change
2 Days: The utility industry is one of constant change, further challenged by significant pending regulatory change. Utility managers are challenged by responding to those changes and implementing strategies for the future. This highly interactive workshop describes the various types of change, roles in the change process, and methods for planning/implementing strategic changes. Participants will create an on-the-job change strategy application.
Business and Strategic Issues
2 Days: This course provides participants with a general manager’s perspective and understanding of the business issues associated with running an electric distribution utility. Participants will gain an understanding of industry background, fundamentals of ratemaking, how to determine the financial health of their business, as well as how to build relationships with their community, employees, and governing bodies and much more.
Components of Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is a planned change process designed to create desired future results, typically within three to five years. This workshop-style course teaches participants how to initiate a strategic planning process and assess their readiness for strategic change in their department or organization.
