Edyth Hatter-Williams, Chief Executive Officer at Capital Area Michigan Works!, speaks with Chris while she’s at the Michigan Works! Annual Conference, at Soaring Eagle Resort. There are 34,900 jobs that are in her region’s trade, transportation and utility industry, but there is a lack of workers available, due to individuals retiring and the talent gap for the open positions. This is a national problem, not just an regional problem.

Edyth shares insight on a national initiative, called Careers in Energy week, and the partnerships with Consumer Energy and the Board of Water and Light. She points out educational programs, offered by Board of Water and Light and Lansing Community College, to attract and train individuals interested in this industry. In addition, the Executive Board of ATHENA WIN conference, hosted by Lansing Board of Water and Light, offers opportunities for women in the energy industry.

• According to The Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives August 2015 data, there are 34,900 jobs in our region’s “trade, transportation and utilities” industry.
  • The “trade, transportation and utilities” category includes one of the prevalent sectors in our region: energy jobs.
• Energy jobs include positions such as line workers, technicians, power plant operators, pipefitters, engineers and more, and they’re filled by qualified individuals with strong science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and skilled trades backgrounds.
  • While the educational requirements vary, from bachelor’s degrees to training or certificates, the main takeaway for people interested in energy jobs is that it’s most likely necessary to have some type of post-secondary education.
• One of our biggest priorities at Capital Area Michigan Works! is to educate and guide job seekers in our current workforce, as well as the job seekers of the future, toward in-demand positions, such as in the energy industry, so we can help the businesses we work with fill necessary positions.
• A way we can ensure people in our region are informed of in-demand industries is by starting and continuing discussions about what jobs need to be filled and how we can better prepare job seekers to fill them both now and in the future.
• A national initiative to help achieve these types of discussions is Careers in Energy Week, which kicks off October 12, and runs through October 18.
  • Careers in Energy Week is an initiative to assist individuals interested in the energy industry as well as provide energy data with the public.
• Locally, the Lansing Board of Water and Light is stepping up to raise awareness about careers in energy, as part of the week-long initiative.
  • Lansing BWL will host the executive board of ATHENA WIN for a meet and greet luncheon to network and emphasize careers for women. The guests from ATHENA WIN will introduce their purpose and show how women can benefit from networking, in an effort to help them in their professional careers.
• BWL will welcome the keynote speaker, Kellee Christensen, a tenured employee, whose career spans over twenty years of leadership roles that contributed to her professional development in the utility industry.
• Speaking engagements like this are important to get the word out about the success of the industry.
  • But there doesn’t need to be an event to discuss in-demand jobs. Energy careers need to be a topic of career exploration in homes, schools and in the community this week and beyond.
• If you’re interested in gaining skills or education to prepare you for an energy career, there are local resources available for you to take advantage of.
• BWL’s School to Training and Employment Program (1st S.T.E.P.) offers high school students career exploration through work-based learning in a structured process.
  • Visit www.lbwl.com/1step for more information on the 1st S.T.E.P.
• If you’d like to further your education or training, Lansing Community College offers an associate degree in energy management and other certifications that can help you become qualified for energy positions.
  • Visit www.lcc.edu for more information.