Abstract

In response to critical skills shortages facing the electric utility industry, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth (DELEG) established the Michigan Utility Workforce Development Consortium, a Michigan Skills Alliance. The Consortium brings together over 25 partners from industry, labor, associations, and academia to develop customizable, collaborative solutions to the industry’s workforce needs. Each partner has a key role in making the most efficient use of established training curriculums, facilities, laboratories, and equipment to provide the utility industry with the talent necessary to succeed. High-tech training in the power sector is offered through various community colleges and utility/union training trusts, including pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and incumbent worker training in the areas of line technician, cable splicer, substation operations/maintenance, substation/engineering technician, underground line technician, advanced metering infrastructure technician, and electrical maintenance. Michigan Works! partners, who oversee workforce development services in their local area and are governed by the state’s 25 workforce development boards, provide assessment and screening to identify eligible participants and refer them toward the appropriate training pathway.