Utility Industry Workforce Initiative. David Foster, U.S. Department of Energy

Transcription

1 Utility Industry Workforce Initiative David Foster, U.S. Department of Energy

2 Mission To facilitate the transition of service members, veterans, and military spouses into careers in the utility industry.

3 Partners U.S. Departments of Energy, Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs CEWD, Edison Electric Institute, Nuclear Energy Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Assn, American Gas Association, American Public Power Assn International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA)

4 Workforce Challenges By 2030, the energy sector, including transmission, storage, and distribution, is projected to employ an additional 1.5 million workers. The Utility Industry is facing significant retirements of its existing workforce. Changing technologies require innovative thinking and cutting-edge skills.

5 Tapping Talent Approximately 200,000 Service Members leave the Armed Forces each year. Veterans and military spouses make up a tremendous talent pool with qualities such as mission focus, problem solving, leadership skills, and team orientation. They also possess valuable job specific skills, such as a focus on safety, similar to those needed by civilian employers.

6 Strategic Objectives Objective 1: Make it easier for veterans and transitioning service members to find utility jobs and translate their skills and training. Improve existing tools to match individuals with employment opportunities in the utility industry. Communicate Career Pathways within the industry.

7 Strategic Objectives Objective 2: Accelerate the time it takes veterans and transitioning service members to earn required credentials or degrees. Communicate alignment of military training with requirements for utility jobs, and identify any necessary gap training to expedite entry. Facilitate entry into utility industry through training and credentialing opportunities.

8 Strategic Objectives Objective 3: Increase the number of veterans and transitioning service members who are recruited, hired and retained in utility jobs. Promote opportunities for immediate recruitment of exiting service members substantially qualified for jobs. Communicate information on exiting military trends to industry partners. Create opportunities for employers to communicate opportunities to military, veterans, and military spouses.

9 Strategic Objectives Objective 4: Support the recruitment, transition and retention of veterans and transitioning service members in the energy sector. Create a national Veterans in Energy professional society to where veterans feel included and involved in outreach and retention of other veterans.

10 Next Steps Launched June 8, 2015 by Secretary Moniz at Edison Electric Institute Conference. Meets every other month to collaborate on efforts and assess progress. Charter and Strategic Plan have been developed, and teams assigned to execute strategies. Third meeting to be held November 12, will review work plans of strategy teams.

11 How Can You Help? Work with local American Job Centers to identify veterans seeking employment in your area. Develop affinity groups of veterans in your firm. Advertise your employment opportunities and identify them as veteran-friendly. Tell us what you need!