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Careers in Energy

Energy Careers in Wisconsin

According to the 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), deployment of new technologies (namely, the transition from coal-fired generation to natural gas, solar, and wind) and the role of energy efficiency are both contributors to job growth at the core of the 21st-century economy.

“The Traditional Energy and Energy Efficiency sectors employed 6.8 million people at the end of 2019, adding over 120,300 new jobs in total, outperforming the rest of the economy in job creation.”

To back that up, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2019) projects renewable energy system installation and maintenance as two of the top three fastest-growing careers between 2019-2029.

Notably, however, energy utility companies continue to face shortages due, in part to an aging workforce, in key career areas, such as line worker, power plant operator, generation technician, natural gas service technician, and electrical/power engineer (Get Into Energy/Get Into STEM, 2021).

On top of that, Wisconsin energy employers state the top three reasons for difficulty in hiring (USEER, 2020) as:

  • Difficulty finding industry-specific knowledge, skills, and interest
  • Lack of experience, training, or technical skills
  • Competition/ small applicant pool

Educators play a critical role in introducing students to possible career paths. The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) website has career profiles, videos, and skills tests related to energy careers. This PowerPoint presentation can be used to start a discussion and help students begin exploring careers in energy.

Reach out to KEEP, and we can help connect you with lessons, resources, local experts, classroom speakers, company tours, and more.

Email KEEP

​Energy Career Pathway 2022-24

The Wisconsin Energy Workforce Consortium, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and KEEP collaborated to revise the Energy Career Pathway and incorporate energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability in the built environment. The revised tool was published in November 2022 and will be considered for adoption by regional career pathway collaborative groups that identify a need for energy professionals in their areas of Wisconsin.

View the Energy Career Pathway 2022-24 Watch or Listen to the Forward In Energy Forum Learn More About Regional Career Pathways

Clean Energy Careers

Videos & Companion Lessons

Learn how Wisconsin’s transition to a clean energy economy is accelerating new career paths. 

Slipstream partnered with KEEP, WPPI Energy, and Xcel Energy to create educational videos in support of local schools and to encourage young minds to consider career opportunities within the energy sector – especially the clean energy space. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look into some of the careers on the front line of the clean energy future and the people that are making an impact every day here in Wisconsin. 
View the Lessons on the Slipstream Website

Clean Energy Careers

(Full Lesson Bundle)

Careers in Solar Energy

Careers in Energy Distribution

Careers in Chippewa Valley Technical College Electric Distribution Program

Careers in Healthcare

Careers in Energy Auditing/Home Performance

Careers in Hydropower

Careers in Electric Vehicles

Careers in HVAC

Additional Resources

Energy Career Profiles:

​Classroom Speakers and Company Tours

KEEP recommendations including career-based experiences, such as classroom speakers and company tours, as part of your classroom career explorations. Contact us to help you connect directly with energy career professionals and opportunities from your local energy utility company, renewable energy contractors, school district facility or engineering personnel, and other companies and businesses.