Careers in Energy Week is a national event sponsored each year by the Center for Energy Workforce Development to celebrate a critical workforce that provides a vital service to our nation and to raise awareness of the rewarding careers available in the energy industry. From line workers to customer service operators to electrical engineers, these men and women work tirelessly to ensure that businesses and homes across the country always have the energy they need. Energy jobs offer promising opportunities to both experienced workers and those just starting their careers. These jobs are active, hands-on, rewarding, and available in every state, in an industry that is stable and growing.
Careers in Energy Week 2016, held October 17-21, again brought together events across Washington state sponsored by Avista, Tacoma Power, Washington State Labor Council and the Center of Excellence for Clean Energy. The Center procured the Governor’s Proclamation and Tacoma Power procured the Tacoma Mayor’s Proclamation. New this year to the partnership was the Construction Center of Excellence jointly hosting Construction Career Days with the Washington State Labor Council. These events served a total of 1,735 middle school, high school and community college students, job seekers/job developers, and transitioning veterans.
Joint Base Lewis McCord (JBLM) Military Base, Tacoma WA – 300 transitioning Veterans
- An event sponsored by the Washington Department of Commerce and the Centers of Excellence to introduce transitioning veterans to careers in a variety of sectors. The Clean Tech sector (energy and construction) featured employers, organized labor and community and technical college programs offering energy career pathway advice on October 13. (300 Transitioning Veterans)
Tacoma Power, Mossyrock Dam, Tacoma WA – 281 students
- Tour of Mossyrock Dam, hydro class from Centralia College (15 students) in addition, career talk from John Lambert and Clarence Lupo, October 20
- 2B/D4 Central League Cross Country Championship (high school boys, girls and middle school – 166 students total) packets of information, October 20
- Tour of Mossyrock Dam – Tenino Middle School 6th grade (100 students and adults), October 21
Avista, Spokane WA – 554 students, job seekers and job developers
- Social media on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook – Continuation of the “People of Avista” campaign which highlights employees who are making an impact as well as how they got into their careers. #PeopleofAvista
- Avista hosted an on-site event on 10/19 for student scholars in the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship STEM program to learn more about the company and the utility industry. Besides an overview of Avista, topics such as in-demand energy careers, career pathways (college and apprenticeship) were discussed. The students were also treated to a Q & A session with a panel of Avista employees representing Engineering, ISIT and Customer Service. They also received a tour of our Electric Shop led by the manager and a Journeyman Meterman. The event was shared on Avista’s social media page and “live tweets” were posted to the WSOS Twitter page. Attached is a group photo from the event and a copy of the group’s Twitter page (contains more group photos and photo of the panel) (4 students).
- Career Fairs/Events – University of Idaho all majors Career Fair on 10/5, Access Spokane Disability Job Fair (300) on 10/11 (150 job seekers/job developers), Gonzaga University Engineering and Computer Science Career Fair 10/26 (100 students), Eastern Washington University Engineering and Computer Science Career Fair on 10/27, and Colville Rotary Career Fair 10/27.
Washington State Labor Council and Construction Center of Excellence, Spokane WA – 600 high school students
- Construction Career Days is an industry sponsored event for high school students to introduce them to the various career opportunities available in the construction industry. Students were provided the opportunity to try hands-on projects and operate heavy equipment and machinery, as well as meet with industry representatives from the trades and higher education, October 12/13.