October 20-24, 2025: Careers in Energy Week

WHEREAS, access to affordable, reliable energy is fundamental to the lives of all Michigan residents and crucial to businesses; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan’s energy industry currently boasts nearly 129,300 jobs, underscoring the vital need to meet the continuous demand for high-skilled, high-demand talent in this industry and beyond; and,

WHEREAS, our energy industry is transforming energy generation to cleaner, renewable technologies and infrastructure as older coal-fired generation facilities are retired; and energy efficiency and clean energy sources have become a priority for Michigan residents, businesses and governments; and,

WHEREAS, the MI Future Mobility Plan, MI Healthy Climate Plan, new landmark clean energy laws, and the recently launched Renewables Ready Communities Program accelerate the deployment of clean energy systems, underscoring the importance of job training and Registered Apprenticeship programs to ensure Michigan workers have the skills needed to fill high-paying, in-demand clean energy jobs while improving access to reliable, clean energy for all Michiganders; and,

WHEREAS, the energy industry has been a priority focus for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), which has aligned its efforts to champion a demand-driven workforce system through its support of several key sector groups including Advancing Women in Energy, the American Association of Blacks in Energy Michigan Chapter, the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, and the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC); and,

WHEREAS, LEO has awarded MEWDC more than $3 million in competitive grants to integrate additional high-demand occupations into energy education programs through the Talent Pipeline Management methodology and the development of three regional employer-led collaboratives, with focus placed on hiring underrepresented populations into in-demand occupations, and,

WHEREAS, MEWDC is a partnership of more than 50 representatives of industry, education, workforce, labor, government, and veterans celebrating 16 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 member utilities have collectively hired over 1,700 employees since January 2024 in jobs related to electric power generation, transmission, distribution and storage, and energy efficiency; and

WHEREAS, the MEWDC has aligned with energy-related associations including the Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractor Association and Michigan Municipal Electric Association; and,

WHEREAS, MEWDC collaborated with the Michigan Department of Education to transition the 17th career cluster to the new National Energy and Natural Resources Cluster that will provide a roadmap for high school, career, and technical education, and community college students to pursue jobs in the often less visible energy sector with more than 1,950 students earning certificates in Energy Industry Fundamentals since 2013; and,

WHEREAS, MEWDC members have a year-round presence in schools and on college and university campuses with a focus on hiring Michigan students, in addition to offering over 660 industry internships, work-based learning, and co-op opportunities for students since January 2024; and,

WHEREAS, during the week of October 20-24, MEWDC members will focus on energy career awareness and career exploration through tours, career fairs, school presentations, and more to increase awareness about the many benefits of energy careers;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 20-24, 2025, as Careers in Energy Week in Michigan.