Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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October 14, 2019
WHEREAS, access to affordable and reliable energy is fundamental to the lives of all Michigan residents and crucial to businesses; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s energy industry currently boasts more than 108,000 jobs with this total demand, projected to increase by six percent through 2026, which underscores a vital need to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) and skilled trades training to increase the number of Michigan citizens ready to fill the growing gap in the workforce pipeline; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s economy continues to grow and become more competitive, and Michigan energy utilities have collectively hired over 2,500 employees since January 2017; and,
WHEREAS, our energy industry is transforming energy generation to cleaner, greener generation technologies, and infrastructure as older facilities are retired over the next ten years; and,
WHEREAS, the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC) is a coalition of more than 50 representatives of industry, education, workforce, labor, government, and Veterans celebrating ten years of dedication to identifying and acting on current and future workforce issues that are crucial to building and sustaining Michigan’s energy industry; and,
WHEREAS, MEWDC has partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the Center for Energy Workforce Development to implement talent development strategies for employment opportunities in Michigan’s energy industry; and,
WHEREAS, MEWDC has collaborated with the Michigan Department of Education to create Michigan’s 17th “career cluster,” which provides a roadmap for high school, career and technical education, and community college students to pursue jobs in the often less visible energy sector; and,
WHEREAS, MEWDC members now have an enhanced, year-round presence in schools and on college and university campuses with a focus on hiring Michigan students, in addition to offering over 900 industry internship and co-op opportunities annually for students; and,
WHEREAS, during the week of October 15-19, MEWDC will focus on energy career awareness through student tours, energy fairs, and other events to raise awareness about the many benefits of energy careers;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 14-18, 2019, as Careers in Energy Week in Michigan.