Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth
Michigan Electric Power Workforce Training Strategy
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.Contact Information
Deborah Buterbaugh
Project Manager
National Energy Technology Laboratory
3610 Collins Ferry Road
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880
304-285-4164
Deborah.Buterbaugh@netl.doe.gov
Marcia Black-Watson
Principal Investigator
Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
201 N Washington Square 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48913
517-241-8221
Black-watsonm@michigan.gov
- Workforce Training
- 186 trainees hired
- Displaced workers retrained
- High-tech training in cutting-edge power technologies including Smart Grid
- Active participation in power energy education from various sectors