Charlotte’s energy industry on Thursday, April 20th, met with 5,000 Charlotte area high school students to inform them of the various energy career opportunities available to them and the education pathways by which they may attain a desired career.
Charlotte Career Discovery Day is a creation of the Charlotte Mayor’s Office and provides local high school youth the opportunity to learn more about opportunities in career fields ranging from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) to Human Services, Local Government and more. To help prepare Charlotte’s youth for 21st Century careers, over 100 local businesses and universities shared hands-on experiences with youth in a fun-filled, educational event.
Cogentrix Energy Power Management
E4 Carolinas’ Creating Energy Employment Awareness Working Group, Chaired by John Rulevich, Zachry Engineering Project Manager, collaborated with the Charlotte Mayor’s Office of Youth Employment to create the first Energy Section of the Charlotte Career Discovery Day. Nine companies, including early stage and mature, utility and technology, combined to create the Energy Section and engage thousands of students and many teachers. Rulevich noted, “I’m proud of our result and the impact we’ve had on many students and teachers visiting with the various energy companies participating. This first effort was impressive and gives us incentive to collaborate with schools to create a more robust energy workforce pipeline”.
For more information on the Creating Energy Employment Awareness Working Group or student engagement programs, please contact Kelly Perkins, E4 Carolinas Program Manager for Workforce Development (kellyperkins@e4carolinas.org).