No-cost training program focuses on minority outreach
A ccording to Raul Torres, director of system operations at Nicor Gas, when he was in college, the National Latino Education Institute helped him set the foundation for where he is today. “They showed me opportunities that I would not have known existed for me,” said Torres, who came from a low-income community. “I am a living example of an NLEI success story.”
Now, the utility he works for is offering similar opportunities to others like him. Nicor Gas is working with NLEI and six other social service agencies on a free nine-week job readiness training program called CONSTRUCT, designed to educate prospective minority employees on careers in energy and construction-related fields.
Launched in 2013 by ComEd in an effort to introduce more minority candidates to the energy and construction fields, CONSTRUCT will groom 90 students this year in the training program funded by more than 30 partnering companies. Nicor Gas—the largest natural gas distributor in northern Illinois—sends employee ambassadors to the program to present information about working in the natural gas industry and welcomes students to gain firsthand knowledge through job shadowing opportunities.
Most of the participating students are minorities from low-income communities throughout Chicago and northern Illinois. After completing an academic review of basic math, reading and science concepts, participants learn industry-specific skills and job-readiness skills, such as résumé writing and interviewing.
“Participants go through classroom training and on-site job shadowing out in the field,” Torres told American Gas. “Upon graduation from the course, they can apply for a job with any of the partnering companies.”
About a dozen of the graduates are now Nicor Gas employees.
“You can see the difference in employees who have come through this program. Their mindset is already developed toward the energy sector, and they have an understanding of the basics like safety and meter reading,” Torres said.
The Center for Energy Workforce Development estimates that nearly 50 percent of the current energy workforce will retire within the next five to 10 years. This program is one way prospective employees can take advantage of upcoming opportunities.