Over the next several years, the utility industry expects to lose about 50 percent of its workforce to attrition. In an effort to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled, career-focused workers, the Arizona Sun Corridor- Get Into Energy Consortium (ASC-GIEC) will host the first Arizona Get Into Energy Education Expo at Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014.
More than 300 high school students from across the state have registered to participate in the Energy Education Expo Field Trip Day on Friday. Then, on Saturday, the public is invited to the Expo’s Community Day, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The event, co-hosted by lead sponsor Arizona Public Service (APS), is designed as a fun, educational experience to discover the creative sciences behind energy, while learning about college and career pathways leading to energy-related jobs. Other event sponsors include Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and Salt River Project (SRP).
Friday’s Field Trip Day is exclusively for pre-registered high school student groups enrolled in STEM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. After buses arrive, students, staff, volunteers, and guests will be greeted with a brief welcome and event introduction from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. by key leadership of ASC-GIEC, APS and Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.
Throughout the day, students will weave through educational zones representing various aspects of energy careers, including a lunch break with a short keynote presentation by Gary Trujillo, President & CEO of Be A Leader Foundation. Zoned activities will relate to critical components of the utility industry, including energy generation, transmission, distribution and linework, nuclear power, cybersecurity and industrial safety.
The Expo’s Community Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, welcomes learners of all ages to explore energy careers, with a focus on veterans and transitioning workers. Free general admission will be available to the first 500 people who have pre-registered online by Oct. 17 at az.getintoenergy.com/expo/community-registration. Arizona Science Center will also be open to the general public with access to all four levels with over 300 hands-on exhibits.
The ASC-GIEC is comprised of five community colleges across the state offering energy-related associate degree pathways, including lead institution, Estrella Mountain Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Northland Pioneer College, Pima Community College and Yavapai College. The consortium also includes energy industry stakeholders and national organizations supporting workforce development.
