How did you start your journey into a career in energy? Today marks the start of Careers in Energy Week (CIEW), where energy companies and education partners around the state and country aim to heighten awareness of high-growth, rewarding careers in the energy industry.
This year, we’re pulling out all the stops for our first in-person event for CIEW since 2019. We’re hosting a career exploration day for 200 Detroit, Hamtramck, Ecorse, River Rouge, Oakland County and Monroe County students at our Detroit headquarters on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Not only will the students learn about energy careers, but educators will be next to our DTE career presenters to inform students how to get the education or training required for the career.
For example, DTE employee presenters from Renewables will be side by side with MIAT School of Technology to discuss their career and educational program for wind and solar technicians. Nuclear employees will be accompanied by Monroe County Community College to discuss their nuclear career program, and ALBAT, IBEW Local 17 and the Detroit Tree Trim Academy will be on-hand to discuss Line Worker and Line Clearance Tree Trim training programs. Henry Ford College will also be present to discuss the Power & Trade Pathways program and the Customer Service Certificate program.
“This will be a great opportunity for students to ask questions, learn about different careers and make plans for their future,” says Alicia Harris, manager, Employment Strategy & Compliance. “Students will also take part in hands-on activities, tour our Energy Explorer Trailer and learn more about internship and co-op opportunities.”
If you’re in downtown Detroit on Tuesday, stop by from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to check out the action.
This is just one of many ways we reach out to young people, underserved communities, veterans, people with disabilities and people looking for good-paying stable jobs throughout the state. One recent success comes from our energy program at Oakland Schools Career Technical Center. They’ve recently indicated that for the first time ever, their career bulletin board has an overabundance of their students who want to be a lineman. It’s no accident. It’s a direct result of deliberate efforts of the HR Workforce Development team standing up an Energy curriculum at the school, adding training poles in the school yard, recruiting for our high school Summer Youth Internship Program and providing other career awareness activities.
Throughout the year, the Workforce Development teams leads various outreach programs, including:
Readiness Workshops, where we work with community partners to prepare candidates for hard-to-fill positions around the company;
The Summer Youth Internship Program, where Detroit high school-age students work within the company for eight weeks during the summer, learning valuable skills that will help them in school and their career;
Our partnership with Henry Ford College, where our Power and Trades Pathways Program prepares students for high-demand jobs in the skilled trades and was recently recognized as a Citizens Award finalist through the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation;
A Customer Service Talent Development Collaborative, where we partner with companies around the region to develop ways to hire and retain Customer Resolution Specialists;
Our sponsorship and support for FIRST Robotics, where students learn technical, mechanical, engineering, communication and problem-solving skills they can use in school and their career.
“We’re excited to share the variety of careers in our industry with students during Careers in Energy Week, and all throughout the year,” says Chris HooSang, director, Corporate Human Resources, and co-chair of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium. “In the energy industry, young people can find careers that play an active role in building a sustainable future for our environment and our communities.”