Why is the energy industry launching this project?
The purpose of this initiative is to increase the avenues through which veterans with valuable job skills can transition in to energy jobs that call for those skills -- or for those veterans to begin the process of training and certification that would qualify them for those jobs. The effort, being undertaken by the five pilot companies, will focus on the needs of three stakeholder groups: veterans, educators, and employers, and how those three groups will work together to get veterans trained, certified and ready to enter the energy workforce after they’ve departed the military.

Many veterans may have some of the skills and background already needed for starting a successful energy career, but they might not realize these opportunities exist or have the information they need to navigate the system to find the right fit. The Troops to Energy Jobs model will help enlarge the pool of potential applicants for energy industry jobs that need to be filled now and in the coming years.

Where are the jobs available for veterans in the energy sector, and how many are there?
Job availability depends on the company and the region, but the Troops to Energy Jobs Initiative is being developed not only for jobs available immediately and in the near future but for long-term job openings as the aging energy workforce reaches retirement age.

The Center for Energy Workforce Development predicts that more than 40 percent of the workers for the nation’s electricity and natural gas companies and the nuclear power industry will be either eligible for retirement or departing their jobs because of attrition during the next 5-10 years -- meaning almost 200,000 worker either retiring or departing their jobs for other reasons. That’s a potential long-term worker shortage that calls for a long-term approach.

What is the goal of the initiative?
The ultimate goal of the Troops to Energy Jobs model is to provide Veterans employment in a rewarding career with opportunity for advancement. Those earning post-secondary credentials will find numerous opportunities in the energy industry, but often don’t realize these opportunities exist or have the information they need to navigate the system to find the right fit.

What does the Troops to Energy Jobs program model look like?
The Troops to Energy Jobs model will help enlarge the pool of potential applicants for energy industry jobs that need to be filled now and in the coming years with some of the most respected members of our society -- Veterans.

The Troops to Energy Jobs Model is built on the principles of:

•  Targeted outreach and support for former military personnel through recruitment and employment.
• A system of curriculum leading to a portable articulated portfolio of credentials and degrees with the opportunity to embark on accelerated pathways.
• Employer involvement in all phases of workforce development leading to employment.

Utilities will work with their local TAPS offices, the workforce system and educators to accelerate the entry of vets into careers in the energy industry. The initiative will also work with the American Council on Education to create a process for vets to gain college credit for their military training and make it easier to gain the credentials to enter critical jobs.

What jobs will be targeted?
Targeted positions include technicians, plant operators, lineworkers, security officers, and engineers.

What branches of the military will be targeted for this program?
All branches of service will be targeted and eligible.

What type of support will be provided to Veterans?
Career Coaches will be available to assist Veterans with career navigation as they transition to the energy industry. In addition, once the Veteran is employed, participating companies will provide mentors who are also Veterans.

Vets will be provided access to career exploration tools, education opportunities, credentialing, and a centralized location for accessing state and federal resources.

Who else besides energy companies are involved in this effort?

• Troops to Energy Jobs will work with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor, Veteran Affairs, and Energy and their state and local agencies, as well as community colleges and labor unions to create a unique partnership between the U.S. military and the energy industry.
   
• This unique partnership will develop and utilize a clearly defined system of competencies and industry-recognized credentials that are linked to employment opportunities and advancement.
   
• Troops to Energy Jobs will provide a variety of employment entry points for Veterans, including internships and career pathways to higher-skilled energy jobs, as well as ongoing workforce development programs.