A CenterPoint Energy grant program partners with schools and others to train skilled tradespeople
Even before the pandemic, Minnesota was facing a shortage of skilled tradespeople, according to Christe Singleton, CenterPoint Energy’s vice president of Minnesota Gas. The pandemic exacerbated this shortage, especially as the employment pipeline has failed to keep pace with retiring baby boomers.
So, to expand training opportunities and increase the diversity and energy efficiency expertise of Minnesota’s skilled trades workforce, CenterPoint Energy has teamed up with eight local technical colleges and nonprofit organizations in a workforce development initiative.
According to Singleton, the program is one of several that CenterPoint Energy put forth in response to a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission request for proposals from utilities to support the state’s COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery efforts.
“There is a growing demand for energy efficiency in the communities we serve, so we recognize the importance of increasing the supply of tradespeople who have the relevant skills and expertise to do this work,” Singleton told American Gas.
In addition, she says, CenterPoint Energy has a commitment to increase diversity and inclusion within its workforce and among the contractors and tradespeople in the broader community. “In support of that commitment, this grant program is designed to help develop a more diverse workforce by expanding the training and educational opportunities for people who traditionally have not been employed in the trades,” Singleton said.
Though the $2.5 million competitive grant program is exclusive to CenterPoint Energy, the funded projects can also receive monetary support from other organizations or utilities.
Individual projects supported by the grant cover a wide range of approaches, including new training initiatives, expanding existing training programs and providing supplemental opportunities, including those that lead to certifications. Some institutions have also purchased new training equipment, renovated training spaces and created new training software.
While having a skilled and diverse workforce can increase the company’s efficiency and positively impact the community at large, even more importantly, the careers provided by these initiatives can make a significant difference in the lives of employees, said Singleton.
“There are many entry-level positions that do not necessarily require extensive prior experience or training,” she said. “With additional experience and training, people can advance into positions of greater professional responsibility that offer higher incomes, more benefits and greater job security. Finally, this is a field that will continue to grow in size and importance as energy efficiency becomes even more critical to reducing carbon emissions and building a clean energy future.”