Award recipients lauded for their leadership and efforts in building a diverse talent pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 20, 2024 –– The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) today announced the recipients of the 2024 Impact Awards during its Workforce Development Summit. The Impact Awards recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, companies, and consortia affiliated with CEWD for spearheading workforce development initiatives that build a skilled and diverse talent pipeline for the energy sector.

“The efforts underway to strengthen the workforce in our industry are truly remarkable,” said Missy Henriksen, executive director of the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD). “Companies are building impactful partnerships with community organizations, educators, workforce systems, and other stakeholders that are driving real change.”

Henriksen emphasized the complexities at play: “Workforce development requires unique strategies, and there are no quick fixes when it comes to recruiting, training, and retaining talent,” she said. “Today’s honorees exemplify what it means to make a meaningful difference in an industry that fuels innovation and powers possibilities.”

Award winners are celebrated for excellence in five different areas of leadership across the industry:

1. The Energy Workforce Consortium Game Changer Award honors one consortium for its involvement in CEWD-supported programs and local programming and outreach to build awareness of energy careers within its footprint. The 2024 recipient is the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium.

2. The Community Partnership Award recognizes companies for developing unique connections within the local community that have yielded demonstrated results in fueling the talent pipeline. The 2024 recipient is PECO’s Workforce Development Community Partner Regional Consortium.

3. The Workforce Champion Award celebrates individuals who have shown extraordinary leadership in the workforce development arena by creating meaningful change that will influence, mobilize, and energize a diverse, skilled talent pipeline. Honorees have demonstrated innovation and accomplishments within their company and/or community as well as leadership, mentorship, and stewardship for the industry and its professionals through support for local and regional workforce development activities, state workforce consortia, and/or CEWD initiatives. The 2024 recipient is Angie Farsee, vice president, human resources, at Georgia Transmission Corporation.

4. The Tom Kuhn Veterans Leadership Award recognizes companies for exemplary initiatives to recruit, hire, and retain veterans in energy jobs. The 2024 recipient is Consumers Energy.

5. The Chairman’s Award for Workforce Development Leadership is CEWD’s highest honor and recognizes companies for outstanding achievements in general workforce development leadership, including excellence in promotion of 21st century energy careers; advancements in diversity, equity and inclusion; innovations in training; and enhancements to workplace culture and operations to retain a strong workforce. The 2024 recipient is Constellation.

   A panel of independent energy industry experts, along with nonprofit and workforce development leaders, reviewed nominations to select the 2024 award recipients from a competitive pool of entries. To learn more about CEWD’s Impact Awards and other energy industry workforce development initiatives, visit www.cewd.org. 

About The Center for Energy Workforce Development
The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of electric, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy companies, and their associations, committed to the development of a skilled, diverse energy workforce.