GFCMSU gets $1.4 million donation to create grid operator program
The Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation has donated $1.4 million to Great Falls College Montana State University to establish a first-of-its-kind grid operator training program.
The donation will fund the creation of a full-scale grid operations training center on the Great Falls campus, marking the first time a U.S. grid operator program will feature a dedicated on-campus training facility, according to the university.
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The program will prepare students for certification by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, equipping them with the skills needed to manage and monitor the nation’s electric grid.
“Certified system operators are the frontline defenders of grid reliability. Their training and expertise ensure the secure, safe and reliable operation of the bulk power system across North America,” Jim Robb, president and CEO at NERC, said in a release “Programs like the one Great Falls College is building – with the support of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation – are critical to maintaining an educated and trained workforce that is capable of evolving just as our industry continues to evolve.”
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Gina Rooney, president of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation, said in a release that it reflects their “commitment to advancing education, promoting environmental responsibility, ensuring safety and driving economic development. By supporting the nation’s first on-campus NERC-certified grid operator training program, the foundation is helping foster innovation, strengthen communities and ensure a more sustainable and secure future for all.”
The university has been developing tailored education programs that meet workforce needs and “with the energy sector facing a nationwide shortage of qualified grid operators, the new program will position Great Falls College as a national leader in grid operations training,” according to the university.
Construction of the grid operations training center is expected to begin in early 2026, with the first cohort of students enrolling in fall 2026.
