Due to the impending retirement of skilled power industry workers nationwide, utilities are investing in the workforce of tomorrow. For example, Exelon is backing Governor Larry Hogan's proposal to boost the number of schools in the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program.
Currently, Exelon is partnering with state-level workforce development groups, educational institutions and community organizations to develop and train workers and meet future employment needs. The P-TECH program aligns with this mission by providing a custom curriculum, which trains students from all academic backgrounds, and helps them to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree free of charge.
David Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings; Ken Cornew, president and CEO of Exelon Generation, and Calvin G. Butler, Jr., CEO of BGE, attended Governor Hogan's press conference, which was focused on plans to expand the P-TECH program. Also, leaders from Delmarva Power and Constellation were also in attendance.
“As a leading employer in Maryland, Exelon requires a strong, skilled and diverse workforce to deliver clean energy for generations to come,” says Chris Crane, Exelon president and CEO. “This important jobs program provides Marylander’s the technical skills they need to graduate, enter into the local employment market, earn a good income and lay the groundwork for a prosperous and successful career.”
The Exelon family of companies has an ongoing, multimillion-dollar commitment to workforce development in the areas it serves, with a focus on the communities with the most acute need, according to the company. Case in point: every year, the Exelon family of companies contributed more than $10 million to STEM education and workforce development initiatives, more than $3 million of which went to the high school and college level and benefited more than 140,000 students. Also, nearly 8,000 Exelon employees donated more than 210,000 volunteer hours in 2017, including time spent with youth development groups and STEM education programs.
For example, Baltimore-based BGE has invited students from local high schools to its facilities on field trips, partnered with a local vocational-technical high school through its Smart Energy Workforce Development Program and hired 25 summer interns from the P-TECH program.
Throughout Maryland, other Exelon companies are also implementing similar workforce development efforts. For example, both Exelon Generation and Constellation offer scholarships to students studying STEM-related disciplines, which leads to internships and even full-time jobs at the companies. In addition, Pepco and Delmarva Power provide training and preparation for testing and specialized curriculums to prepare students and community members for energy-related jobs. Also, the companies offer scholarships to help individuals pursue advanced technical degrees. Their STEM-related initiatives also bring energy education into the classroom for young students.
For more information, visit the Web site.
