December 2023
Check out the latest information on key programs and priorities CEWD is working on to support a skilled, diverse energy workforce. Please share this publication with others who may be interested. To subscribe, please contact staff@cewd.org.
CEWD’s Top Ten List of 2023
It’s that time of year where Top 10 lists frequently surface for annual recaps, so in the spirit of the season, we proudly spotlight ten of our favorite moments of 2023 (in no specific order).
- Launch of Energy Industry Fundamentals 2.0, setting the stage to educate 500,000 students about energy and its career paths.
- Release of the Energy Workforce Primer, narrating the “what, who, and how” about why workforce development now necessitates corporate and industry-wide solutioning more than ever before.
- Hosting the 2023 Workforce Development Summit, uniting workforce professionals from various industries within the sector for unparalleled learning, networking, and solutioning.
- Debut of the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum, which exceeded our wildest expectations with power packed panels, an action agenda, and compelling dialogues.
- Representation of the industry’s voice, offering CEWD platform after platform to contribute perspectives on the sector’s most pressing workforce development challenges to influential stakeholders at federal, state, and local levels.
- Progress in expanding our Urban Energy Jobs program with the National Urban League, allowing broader reach in connecting underrepresented communities with onramps to energy jobs. (And, as part of that, welcoming our new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Cornell Johnson.)
- Showing up for Careers in Energy Week in a big way, with the new Energy Zone playlist, the national live chat with career explorers, and so many pieces of new sharable collateral to promote the industry. And we are going to sneak the creation of a new series of videos for veterans that promote energy careers in here as well.
- Creating avenues to educate and inform about workforce policy, connecting workforce development champions with timely information on available federal and state resources.
- Insights from the 2023 Energy Workforce Report, that keep us current on what’s trending with the utility workforce.
- Seeing the learning and sharing interactions that took place during the regional meetings, reconnecting colleagues for area-specific workforce development solutioning.
CEWD Releases Executive Summary for 2023 Energy Workforce Report
CEWD has released the executive summary for the new 2023 Energy Workforce Report which highlights key trends including emerging technology jobs showing significant growth, challenges of developing younger workers, non-retirement attrition is higher post-COVID, and relatively high adoption rate of DE&I practices. Find a copy of the report here. Those who provided data to the report have received their individual company scorecards.
Dates Announced: 2nd Annual DE&I Forum
CEWD’s 2nd annual DE&I Forum will take place May 9-10 in Washington, D.C. Following the resounding success of the inaugural Forum in 2023, the event will continue to build a networking community and serve as the catalyst for individual, group, and industry action supporting more diverse, equitable, and inclusive energy workplaces. Mark your calendar and watch for additional information early in 2024.
What’s Up? News Updates
CEWD is reporting important news and updates in this new CEWD Connections section to keep readers abreast of energy workforce headlines. If you have any article suggestions, please email christina@cewd.org.
Duke Energy leads four in Forbes’ best 150 employers for veterans
November 21, 2023
Duke Energy comes in #47 for Forbes top 150 employers for veterans.
Redeveloping retired coal sites into nuclear plants could benefit the planet and the economy
November 27, 2023
While closing coal power plants adversely impacts local communities, turning coal power plants to natural gas-fired power units or nuclear energy facilities can boost local employment opportunities, finds a new Electric Power Research Institute report.
EPRI introduces online tool to help power companies identify EV infrastructure needs
November 30, 2023
eRoadMAP, a new, free, tool developed by the Electric Power Research Institute, allows users to identify when electric vehicles are expected to arrive in different regions in the US. The tool can also be used for grid-planning efforts because it can identify where higher energy usage may be required by electric transportation needs.
H.R. 6655, the Stronger Workforce for America Act
December 6, 2023
An amended and reauthorized Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was proposed in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Foxx (R-NC) and Congressman Robert Scott (D-VA).
American Opportunity Index 2023 Report
The report by the Burning Glass Institute, Schultz Family Foundation, and Harvard Business School, the American Opportunity Index, assesses how US companies maximize their internal talent, leading to grater social mobility for their employees and communities, better ROI for the company, and overall employee quality, was published November 2023.
Happy Holidays
We know this has been a robust year for workforce development as companies look at new and aggressive ways to attract, train, and retain a skilled, diverse workforce. Many of those charged with workforce development have had more responsibilities thrust upon them this year than ever before. Hats off to all that has been accomplished in 2023.
From the entire CEWD team, best wishes for a relaxing and joyful holiday season.
STAY CONNECTED
