Governor Rick Snyder, Talent Investment Agency join partners in highlighting energy industry jobs

October 11, 2016 – Job-seekers with skilled trades talent should consider the wide-ranging, rewarding career opportunities offered by Michigan’s expanding energy industry, Gov. Rick Snyder said today.

Snyder proclaimed Oct. 17 – 21 as Careers in Energy Week in Michigan. The governor, together with state Talent Investment Agency Director Wanda M. Stokes, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and other partners in the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium are raising awareness of the in-demand jobs across this diverse industry and its importance to the overall economy.

“The cutting-edge jobs of today and tomorrow are right here in Michigan’s energy industry,” Snyder said. “This is an exciting time to be part of it. The industry is evolving as energy generation transforms to cleaner, greener technologies and infrastructure. As Michigan’s economy continues to grow and become more competitive, a vibrant, diverse and successful energy industry is even more vital. I encourage students and job-seekers interested in challenging, rewarding careers to give these opportunities a close look.”

The industry accounts for more than 97,000 jobs and the demand for additional talent is expected to grow by more than 9 percent through 2024. There is a wide range of in-demand jobs including power plant operators, engineers, gas technicians, electric line workers and pipefitters.

“The energy industry offers an excellent pathway to good-paying, stable careers,” Stokes said. “These opportunities underscore the importance of STEM education and skilled trades training across our state. A good education and the proper training are critical to filling the current gap in our talent pipeline.”

During Careers in Energy Week, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates students from across the state will tour Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, and Lansing Board of Water and Light facilities. In addition, in partnership with the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, energy careers will be promoted to military personnel transitioning to civilian jobs using videos of veterans currently employed by these three utilities.

One of the best sources for available jobs across the state is Pure Michigan Talent Connect at www.mitalent.org. As the state’s official labor exchange, Pure Michigan Talent Connect lists open jobs, lets job-seekers upload or build their resumes in the system, and offers information about educational requirements and skill development. There’s also a Just for You page with specialized information for recent graduates, older job-seekers and those who are changing careers. There is no cost to use the site. 

The Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium, convened by the Talent Investment Agency and created in 2008, is a coalition of more than 50 organizations representing industry, education, workforce, labor and veterans dedicated to identifying and acting on workforce issues that are crucial to the health of Michigan’s energy industry.

The consortium is aggressively working to build the energy sector’s talent pipeline. For example, it recently collaborated with the Michigan Department of Education and State Board of Education to create an energy “career cluster,” which is one of the state’s 17 career clusters for Career and Technical Education programs that provides academic and specific skill-focused training to an industry career path. The new Energy Career Cluster will use the energy industry fundamentals competencies content standards developed by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD). Founded in March 2006 as a national nonprofit, CEWD is a consortium of electric, natural gas, nuclear utilities and their associations, representing more than 90 percent of the skilled energy workforce in the U.S.

The Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium also has an enhanced, year-round presence in schools and colleges with a focus on hiring Michigan students.

Visit www.michigan.gov/tia for more information on the Talent Investment Agency.