Data that employers are paying attention to in Illinois
28.1%
of adults with some college, but no degree
38%
Fourth graders reading at or above grade level
4.6%
of adults are unemployed
Sustainable Energy Talent Pipelines
With an aspiration to be a force for good in the communities they serve, DTE Energy is working to address the skills gap, increase the quality of candidates for in-demand jobs, and build a sustainable pipeline of skilled talent through career path development and skilled trade training programs.
Investing in Talent for Tomorrow
DTE Energy is working with community colleges and career and technical schools to provide the skills necessary for, and create awareness of, the pathways to good careers. The work doesn’t stop here, DTE is using Talent Pipeline Management™ to align education, industry, and government to continue to fill the pipeline now and in the future.
of energy workers are soon eligible to retire
The Challenge
As of a 2011 survey, the average age of the workforce in the energy sector was 46.1 years and the number of employees age 53 and above had increased by 5% in just five years. It is safe to say that in the next five years over 50% of energy workers will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years.
At the same time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2026, out of the top 20 fastest growing occupations, the top two spots belong to the energy sector. DTE Energy knows that they are competing for the same talent in the same region as many other industries. The traditional rate of skilled trade apprentice hires will not keep pace with expected demand.
The Solution
DTE is leading a statewide vision to address the skills gap and increase the quality of candidates for in-demand jobs by building a sustainable talent pipeline. With DTE as a driver, the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC) laid the foundation by successfully implementing a 17th Career Cluster. “Energy” is now a certified, approved career path program at high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers across the state.
DTE, with an aspiration to be a force for good in the communities they serve, joined a significant effort in the City of Detroit and surrounding neighborhoods where the need for education and the opportunity to fill open positions collide. DTE launched several programs from high school internships to a skilled trades training program in collaboration with Henry Ford College called “Power and Trades Pathway.”