NES celebrates Careers in Energy week, which is held October 21-25. Careers in Energy Week is an industry-wide initiative to engage the current and future energy industry workforce while highlighting the important and rewarding work energy professionals do in their communities.
In the past, energy companies did not have a difficult time recruiting because many people heard about career opportunities through family and friends. With the excellent pay and benefits, those who accepted positions typically stayed until retirement. But since then, workforce dynamics have changed. 80% of energy-company employees are over 40. Over half of energy company employees will be eligible for retirement in the next ten years, creating a need to engage the younger generation and build awareness of these stable, highly lucrative careers.
That’s why NES employees work with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) to create pipelines for success for young students interested in energy careers. Through various workshops, presentations, community events, programs and partnerships, NES is able to connect with a vast number of students to teach them about different careers in the energy industry, from linemen technician positions, to engineering and so many more.
NES’ operations internship is a prime example of the way the utility helps find and produce more employees in the energy industry. The operations internship program focuses on the skilled crafts of the electric trade, with interns learning various parts of the job, like appropriate functions of overhead and underground aspects of the work, including safety knowledge and use of tools and equipment. Each of our interns is evaluated, given feedback and have peer mentors to guide them through the program. At least 80% of interns are offered full-time employment after the program’s completion. NES recently graduated 10 MNPS students from the program, and they were all offered full-time employment with the utility, including benefits.
For more information on careers in energy, click here.