W hen Alejandro Tello was 17, he didn’t know what he wanted for himself and his future career. But thanks to an apprenticeship program offered by We Energies, he was able to work as a distribution system design apprentice while still in high school. Through that experience, he earned college credits that he was able to transfer to Milwaukee Area Technical College once he graduated.
He’s now a We Energies employee working as a computer instrument technician. “The flexibility that I got from MATC and We Energies was great because I was able to keep working part time while getting my education,” Tello said.
After graduating from MATC, Tello continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and is hoping to expand his opportunities at the utility by working toward a bachelor’s degree in business.
The innovative internship and apprentice programs, which allow students to work while exploring potential careers in the energy industry, have proved popular with students and the schools they attend.
Recently, a dual-enrollment collaboration program comprised of Milwaukee’s three urban public education institutions—Milwaukee Public Schools, MATC and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee—selected We Energies to receive the inaugural “Paving the Pathway Award” for its “commitment to strengthening Wisconsin’s future workforce through work-based learning” and for “paving the pathway for students to build careers and advance their skills.”
The pathway doesn’t just go one way, however. According to Jennifer Buchanan, assistant to the president and CEO, and internship and apprentice director at We Energies, the utility is a beneficiary as well.
“This program helps us attract and retain skilled and diverse employees who are proud to provide affordable, reliable and clean energy in their backyard,” Buchanan said. “We are thrilled with the results of this program and look forward to collaborating with MPS, MATC and UWM for years to come.”
Now in its sixth year, the partnership with MPS allows high school juniors and seniors to intern or apprentice as line workers, gas technicians or distribution system designers. Currently, We Energies has more than 20 MPS program alumni who were hired to work full time after completing their internships or apprenticeships.