Michigan utilities shine light on energy jobs with Careers in Energy Week

Aiming to attract students and professionals to the growing energy industry, electric utilities are taking part in Michigan’s Careers in Energy week from Oct. 15-19.

“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,” Amber Fogarty, energy talent pipeline specialist for Consumers Energy, said. “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.”

Consumers has joined forces with DTE Energy, the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) and members of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC) to make this push. MEWDC is an industry partnership of more than 50 organizations focused on workforce issues.

All week long, the organizations will educate students and adults alike about opportunities in an energy job market that already employs more than 108,000 Michigan residents.

Since January 2017 energy providers have hired more than 2,500 new employees for energy careers and up to 1,000 internship and co-op students.

This year’s event will include a social media contest for high schoolers, meant to increase visibility for the industry.

“The high demand for skilled trades professionals in Michigan’s energy industry continues,” said Tracy DiSanto, DTE Energy manager of Workforce Planning and Analytics, and co-chair of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium. “This week offers students across the state hands-on experiences, giving them the tools they need to understand the many paths to a great career.”

Energy jobs will grow by an estimated 6 percent through 2026, according to the Michigan Workforce Development Agency.