Xcel Energy construction workforce training program approved to boost workforce diversity in Minnesota
A hands-on workforce training pilot program pitched by Xcel Energy to improve workforce diversity in the Minnesota energy sector’s construction efforts gained approval last week from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
Envisioned as a path forward for 150 participants, the program will provide training and hands-on experience. The latter will likely take the form of labor on the proposed 460 MW Sherco Solar Project, though that remains under separate review at this time for both a construction site and route permits. As proposed by Xcel, Sherco – and two 345 kV transmission lines for interconnection – would link to the Sherburne County Substation and replace energy production from the coal-powered Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, which is scheduled for retirement in 2023.
“The Commission convened stakeholders in 2019 to look at challenges and opportunities to attracting a diverse workforce and submitted recommendations to the legislature,” Commissioner Valerie Means said. “The pilot the Commission approved today reflects many of the recommendations outlined in the report and is hopefully indicative of the future efforts we will see toward more inclusive training and hiring practices.”
A significant focus of the Sherco project will include outreach to community organizations and focused recruitment from low-income, veteran, women, and BIPOC communities – all groups traditionally underrepresented in both the energy and construction industries. This also aids demands on the Commission from the Minnesota Legislature, which has required it to look more closely at attracting a diverse workforce in the energy industry.
