Center for Energy Workforce Development Teams Up with SkillsUSA to Support Nation’s Future Energy Workforce

Media Contacts

SkillsUSA:
Jane Short or Karen Kitzel, 703-777-8810
Email: jshort@skillsusa.org or kkitzel@skillsusa.org

CEWD
Missy Henriksen
Email: missy@cewd.org

Partnership Advances Rollout of Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster, Adds Industry Exposure at Try-a-Skill Booth at NLSC

Leesburg, Va., Feb. 1, 2025 — The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) has teamed up with SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce development organization for students, to support the new Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster, part of Advance CTE’s Modernized Career Clusters Framework that guides the nation’s career and technical education system.

As a key element of the new partnership, SkillsUSA and CEWD will work together to support the rollout of the new Energy and Resources Career Cluster, which represents careers in traditional and renewable fuel production, power generation and energy conversion, utilities, environmental preservation, ecological research, and resource extraction. The dedicated cluster makes it easier for students to connect with the energy and natural resources industry and increases exposure to the dynamic job opportunities available to them.

In addition to developing a national career framework and reviewing energy-related competencies to fuel an updated curriculum, CEWD will collaborate with SkillsUSA to integrate energy into relevant career competitions at the annual SkillsUSA Championships held in conjunction with the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), a hotspot destination for workforce development that will be held in Atlanta this June. CEWD will also host a Try-a-Skill booth at SkillsUSA TECHSPO, the nation’s largest career and technical education trade show held during NLSC. The Try-a-Skill experience gives participants an opportunity to learn first-hand about potential careers and essential skills needed to thrive in the energy industry.

“We are honored to partner with CEWD on new initiatives in the energy and natural resources field, which provides the materials and energy needed to power homes, businesses, transportation — essentially all aspects of daily life,” said Chelle Travis, executive director at SkillsUSA. “This is a critical sector for our nation’s economic development and global sustainability. SkillsUSA’s vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world while providing members with more opportunities for career success.” The national partnership between CEWD and SkillsUSA comes at a time when the energy industry is focused on growing its workforce to fill 32 million jobs in the next decade.

“We are ready more than ever to elevate resources, initiatives, and partnerships with organizations like SkillsUSA that put the energy and natural resources industry in front of our future workforce and align with the massive hiring forecast,” said Missy Henriksen, CEWD’s executive director. “The adopted career cluster sparked a movement alongside the energy evolution, empowering students to consider how their aspirations may intersect with opportunities to fuel America and supporting the educators who are so important in career awareness and learning journeys. It’s an exciting time in our industry.”

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college/postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served over 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

About The Center for Energy Workforce Development

The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) is a non-profit consortium of electric, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy companies, and their associations, committed to the development of a skilled, diverse energy workforce. To learn more, visit www.CEWD.org.