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CEWD Launches Key Resources to Support Adoption of the Energy & Natural Resources Career Cluster

Tools for educators, industry leaders, and policymakers aim to prepare the next generation for high-demand energy and natural resources careers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To prepare the next generation workforce for the evolving energy sector, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) today unveiled a comprehensive suite of resources to accelerate the adoption of energy curriculum aligned with the new national Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) Career Cluster. Developed for industry leaders, policymakers, and educators with extensive support from Accenture’s Corporate Citizenship program, these tools provide ready-to-use materials, access points, and guidance to address the growing energy workforce.

The launch of the ENR Career Cluster represents a watershed opportunity for the industry to connect with students in classrooms, especially the 10 million learners in Career and Technical Education (CTE) who are focused on developing workforce-ready skills. It is a critical moment to take action and begin preparing the next generation for careers in energy and natural resources. With increasing demand for all types of professionals, CEWD is leading the industry’s response and providing the strategic frameworks needed to jumpstart progress in workforce development.

“As we look to the future, meeting the growing demand for energy jobs has never been more critical – and we’re not leaving anything to chance,” said Missy Henriksen, CEWD’s executive director. “We’re rallying our industry and our partners behind curriculum, programs, and resources that make energy education accessible. Together, we can open doors for more students to see themselves in these careers and show community leaders the benefits of investing in energy education.”

CEWD’s new resources serve as an implementation action plan to address workforce awareness opportunities across education, industry, and policy.

For Industry
CEWD offers strategic guidance for employers and labor organizations seeking to engage with educators implementing energy curriculum. The nexus of all the resources is EnergyConnector, a new digital matchmaking platform that allows the industry to connect with educators, sharing expertise, resources, and real-world experiences that enhance classroom learning. This platform will build a robust network of industry partners committed to backing energy curriculum adoption and equipping educators with the tools they need. Employers and labor partners are urged to register in August and September, ahead of the platform’s opening to educators, to help build a strong network from day one.

For Policy Influencers
CEWD advises policymakers and influencers to prioritize the implementation of the ENR Career Cluster and energy curriculum within their states and communities. Introducing energy education early is important to advancing state and regional energy policy priorities and allows states to align workforce development with the energy sector’s needs, drive economic growth, and better prepare students for future career opportunities.

For Educators
CEWD delivers a lineup of practical, easy-to-use resources designed to engage students in energy careers, align with academic standards, and empower educators to teach energy and natural resources. These include:

  • EnergyAccelerator — A dynamic, open-source library that allows educators to immediately integrate energy curriculum into their teaching.
  • EnergyConnector — A free platform that connects educators with local industry partners for guest speakers, field trips, lab materials, and more.
  • ENR Competencies & Framework — National standards outlining the skills and knowledge students need to success from kindergarten through higher education.
  • Energy Industry Fundamentals (EIF) 2.0 — A free, 120-hour virtual curriculum that provides foundational energy education for high school and post-secondary students.

The success of this initiative is made possible by the combined efforts of the energy industry, CEWD, and Accenture’s Corporate Citizenship program. Accenture’s pro bono support has been instrumental in creating the resources and action plans needed to scale the adoption of the ENR Career Cluster. Their extended engagement shows confidence in the importance of this initiative and its potential impact on the future workforce.

For more information about CEWD, visit www.CEWD.org. To learn more about CEWD’s career programming and initiatives, visit www.GetIntoEnergy.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. To learn more, visit www.CEWD.org.