DETROIT – Career in Energy Week, Oct. 15-19, hopes to show Michigan students and adults learn more about professional opportunities in the energy industry statewide.

More than 108,000 Michigan residents hold energy-related jobs today, and the Michigan Workforce Development Agency estimates energy jobs will grow by 6 percent through 2026.

The campaign is backed by DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, the Lansing Board of Water & Light and all members of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium.

“Careers in Energy Week puts the spotlight squarely on the exciting opportunities that are available for Michigan’s next generation to continue powering our state,” said Amber Fogarty, energy talent pipeline specialist for Consumers Energy. “We want students to come away from this week’s activities seeing they can have a bright future doing all types of challenging, rewarding work for energy providers.”

Careers in Energy Week helps feed the talent pipeline for jobs in the growing energy industry. Energy providers have hired over 2,500 new employees into energy careers since January 2017, and up to 1,000 internship and co-op students. 

Among other accomplishments:

  • The MEWDC worked with the state Board of Education to design a “career cluster” in energy that has been implemented through career and technical education centers and six community colleges across the state. Students can study traditional academics while leveraging skills specific to an industry path.
  • The consortium members are creating work-based learning opportunities across the state for high school students such as such as BWL  with their 1st S.T.E.P., or School to Training and Employment Program and DTE’s Summer Youth Internship Program
  • Served as a model of the Talent Pipeline Management process with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, resulting in Consumers Energy developing a statewide Talent Pipeline Management Academy – the first of its kind in the nation – to help Michigan businesses enhance their talent sources and hire better-skilled workers to meet critical short and long-term employment needs.
  • The consortium reached a goal of increasing the number of registered apprentices in energy-related jobs by over 350 with help from a federal ApprenticeshipUSA grant.

During Careers in Energy Week, the MEWDC launched its first social media contest, “I Got Into Energy,” (#GetIntoEnergyMichigan) for high schoolers. Students will participate in social media activities throughout the week to increase visibility of energy industry careers.

For more information, go to http://consortia.getintoenergy.com/michigan/