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Interview to lead. CEWD and its industry partners are working to bridge this gap by raising awareness, expanding training opportunities, and ensuring young talent sees a future in energy careers. Clear and accessible avenues into the industry can help it position itself as a top choice for the next generation. And with the momentum of the energy evolution, our industry is here to stay.
CEWD recently partnered with SkillsUSA to support the rollout of the new Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster. How will this initiative enhance energy education and workforce development? The launch of the Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster is a major step forward in workforce development, providing educators with a dedicated framework to introduce students to energy careers. The adoption of the new Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster means students, especially the ten million in career and technical education, can more easily learn key industry disciplines and understand how to take the first step into an energy career – that is if they are provided the opportunity.
Among the many ways CEWD connects with educators is by partnering with SkillsUSA to help strengthen the rollout efforts by expanding outreach to SkillsUSA’ s network of more than 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers. This collaboration introduces energy-focused career competitions and hands-on learning experiences that help students build the skills needed for success in the field and educators see the importance of adopting an energy curriculum in the classroom. Beyond the conference, CEWD and SkillsUSA will continue working together to integrate energy education into classrooms and career pathways, increasing awareness of industry opportunities.
What role does hands-on learning play in attracting young professionals to the energy industry, and how will the interactive experiences at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference help spark interest? Hands-on learning is essential to attracting young professionals, helping them connect classroom knowledge to real-world careers. Interactive experiences allow students to see themselves in energy roles, understand the skills required, and develop interest in a career that powers their communities.
At the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, CEWD will engage directly with thousands of students through career competitions and the Try-a-Skill booth at TECHSPO, where they can experience energyrelated tasks firsthand. These immersive activities introduce students to a multitude of careers and build confidence in their ability to succeed in the field.
The energy sector is evolving rapidly, with advancements in renewable energy, grid modernization, and emerging technologies. How does the new career cluster prepare students for the industry’ s future workforce needs? The energy industry is evolving, creating demand for a workforce skilled in renewable energy, grid modernization, and emerging technologies. The Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster helps educators introduce students to these careers – and others – and provides clear entry points into the industry.
Many Gen Z job seekers are interested in sustainability but lack information about energy career options. Nearly 60 percent of teachers in an NPR / Ipsos study reported feeling unprepared to teach climate-related topics. The new career cluster, along with CEWD’ s Energy Industry Fundamentals( EIF) 2.0 curriculum, helps bridge this gap by equipping educators with tools to confidently teach all energy career pathways.
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