Industry leaders in Pennsylvania host #UtilityCareers career fair event
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) along with other utility industry leaders in the state held a career fair to encourage state residents to consider a career in the industry.
The career fair, held at the Columbia Gas Training Center’s Safety in Monaca, Pa., was attended by officials from PUC, Columbia Gas, Comcast, Duquesne Light, First Energy, Pennsylvania American Water, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the Pennsylvania One Call System, Peoples Gas, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, UGI Utilities, Inc. – Gas Division, and the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.
“There is a strong need for additional skilled utility workers across the state and country, driven by a combination of factors, including an aging current workforce as well as the growth of new systems and technologies,” PUC Chairman Gladys Brown said at the event, called #UtilityCareers. “These opportunities are all around us, but they may be overlooked by students and other job-seekers who are either unaware of, or unclear about, the many #UtilityCareers options available to them.”
A career in the utility industry offers good wages, career growth and training opportunities, and the satisfaction of serving a community, the PUC said.
“UGI continues to experience healthy growth within our service territory,” Eric Swartley, UGI senior manager, pipeline and public safety, said. “To safely and reliably serve our customers and the many communities we serve, we work with education institutions offering technical training to ensure UGI is staffed by a well-qualified workforce.”
Christine Whitaker, regional vice president at Comcast, said the event offered an excellent opportunity for companies to meet with potential employees.
“Working at a utility like the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority offers a multitude of benefits like good pay, opportunities for professional growth and the ability to serve your neighbors by protecting public health,” Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Chief of Administration Debbie Lestitian said. “We encourage job seekers to check our employment webpage for openings and consider this rewarding career path.”
