DETROIT, Oct. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 111,000
Michigan residents hold
energy-related jobs today, and the Michigan Department of Labor and
Economic Opportunity estimates energy jobs will grow by 6% through
2026. The Michigan Energy Industry Cluster Workforce Analysis, just
released by the state, details the outlook for energy careers in
Michigan.
"While skilled workers for these positions are in demand, many
students aren't aware of the vast array of career opportunities
that exist in this sector," says Marcia
Black-Watson, industry engagement division administrator,
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - Workforce
Development. "That's why for one week each October, educators and
industry leaders join forces to spark students' interest and
encourage them with the theme Get Into Energy."
During Careers in Energy Week, Oct.
14-18, Michigan schools and
energy companies will open their doors for tours, hands-on
activities, demonstrations and other events. Now in its sixth year,
the week is sponsored by the Michigan Energy Workforce Development
Consortium (MEWDC), which includes DTE Energy, Consumers Energy,
API, Great Lakes Energy, Michigan Electric and Gas Association
(MEGA), Lansing Board of Water
& Light, and more than 50 industry, workforce and education
partners. The MEWDC will also host a contest for high schoolers to
further increase visibility of energy industry careers.
"This is a great opportunity for industry, education and
government partners to work together and raise awareness of the
many career paths in the energy industry," said Tracy DiSanto, manager of Workforce Planning and
Analytics at DTE, and co-chair of the MEWDC. "Across the state,
students will get a first-hand look at a variety of in-demand
careers vital to Michigan's
future."
"We're excited for students to learn during Careers in Energy
Week about opportunities in Michigan's growing energy industry," said
Cathy Hendrian, senior vice
president of People and Culture for Consumers Energy. "The next
generation of jobs will require a new wave of talented people with
the right technical skills to help us embrace a clean energy future
for our state."
Careers in Energy Week helps feed the industry's talent
pipeline. Energy companies in the consortium have hired more than
3,200 new employees since January
2018 and annually offer students more than 900 internships
and co-op positions.
The MEWDC was founded in 2008. Since then, its work to develop
the next generation of Michigan
energy workers has included:
- Collaborating with the Michigan Department of Education to
create a roadmap for high school, career and technical education,
and community college students to prepare for energy sector jobs.
This has led to more than 300 students earning national
certificates of Energy Industry Fundamentals.
- Increasing the number of registered apprentices in
energy-related jobs by more than 350, with help from a federal
ApprenticeshipUSA grant.
- Serving as a nationwide model, after successfully receiving a
competitive grant awarded in 2015 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Foundation for Talent Pipeline Management, as Consumers Energy is
driving the Talent Pipeline Academy – a first in the nation – that
helps Michigan businesses enhance
their talent sources and hire skilled workers to meet critical
short and long-term needs.
In addition, consortium members Consumers Energy and DTE Energy
have:
- Continued their Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer status
from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, signifying a commitment
to recruiting and retaining veteran employees.
- Provided substantial financial and volunteer support for FIRST
Robotics teams across the state. Local, state and national
competitions emphasize the importance of science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) occupations for students. Energy
companies consider FIRST Robotics an important talent pipeline for
future employees.
- Through their foundations, provided more than $4.1 million in grants to energy education at
schools and nonprofit groups over the past year.
For the full list of events taking place during Careers in
Energy Week, please go to CareersInEnergyMichigan.com.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy
company involved in the development and management of
energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating
units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers
in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million
customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses
focused on power and industrial projects, renewable natural gas,
natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing
and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE utility operations
will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80
percent by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe,
reliable and affordable. DTE Electric aspires to achieve net zero
carbon by 2050. DTE is committed to serving with its energy through
volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy
and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at
dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and
facebook.com.
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy, Michigan's
largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy
(NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7
million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower
Peninsula counties.
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SOURCE DTE Energy