Video of 2009 Energy Career Days

Tri-State Article of 2009 Energy Career Days

Read about the 2009 Energy Career Days and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Associaiton's participation in the events. The article in on the last page.

2009 Energy Career Days Sets New Attendance Record

The very successful first year of energy activities and equipment at Colorado Construction Career Days was held October 6-7, 2009. The event set attendance records. For the 2-day event, there were a total of 1614 students and educators from 76 schools and 34 school districts. Students came from locations as far as Telluride and Center, Colorado and quite a few schools from the Eastern Plains. Over 600 volunteers helped during the event. There were a record 72 activities and equipment for students to explore.

A review of the student evaluations shows they enjoyed the experience and the educator’s evaluations tell us they continue to be impressed with the event.

2009 Energy Career Days Attracts Over 100 VIP’s

The VIP event at the 2009 Energy Career Days, October 6-7, 2009 had a record of over 100 participants which included 2 State Senators, Don Mares with the State Department of Labor and Larry Friedberg, State of Colorado Architect. The keynote speaker was Humberto Martinez, from the National Construction Career Days office.

Governor Ritter proclaimed, with an Honorary Proclamation, October 5 – 11, 2009, Colorado Careers in Construction Week and Don Mares presented it at the VIP program.

Energy Sector Expands Activities at 2009 Energy Career Days

For the first time in its seven year history, Colorado Construction Career Days expanded the “hands-on” activities for high school students to include energy experiences. Called Energy Career Days the students were exposed to potential jobs in the energy industry. Notable was the participation of Xcel Energy, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, United Power, Western Area Power Administration, Intermountain Rural Electric Association, Red Rocks Community College and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Students were able to try-out, participate in, hear and watch demonstrations in electric, natural gas and renewable energy operations. Skill activities included lineman and field technician gear and types of responsibilities, company wide GIS and mapping operations and types of positions, career paths, education needed and salaries. Students donned safety equipment, tried their hand at welding, operating circuits and valves, doing water analyses, using hot stick equipment, changing breakers, participating in bucket truck and service truck use, fusing plastic pipe, connecting solar and wind to the grid, designing and maintaining meter sets and climbing poles.

The energy activities and equipment were a great hit with the students and educators. Steve Aronson, Carpentry Instructor, Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins, said his students, “always like the hands-on component of this event and the equipment they get to try out. This year they were especially impressed with the Linemen. The folks in this event had a way with the students. They all liked it and many were thinking this could be a career for them. Kudos to the guys and gals that did this presentation.”

About Energy Career Days

"Promoting the Energy Industry to America’s Youth"

Energy Career Days is a “hands-on” event where students participate in selected electric energy career activity experiences.  Small groups of students will be escorted to the activities by industry volunteers. The guides serve as a source of information about the industry as well. There are two distinct areas: Heavy Equipment Area and Skills Area.

Suggestions on the content of activities are welcomed. Examples of potential activities are operating heavy equipment, wearing & operating lineman safety equipment, cable pulling contest, designing a simple electrical system, making a termination or splice, solving a dispatching problem, reading a meter, figuring a utility bill, inspecting a pole, and operating a vehicle GIS computer.  These types of activities will give students a glimpse of the diversity of careers in the electric energy industry.

Date and Location

Colorado Energy Career Days will be in conjunction with Colorado Construction Career Days which has been successful and growing for the past six years.  Last year there were 1700 students and administrators in attendance from 76 schools in 32 districts. Colorado Energy Career Days will be held at the Adams County Fairgrounds, October 6-7, 2009, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. each day.  The purpose is to broaden student knowledge about the multi-faceted opportunities available and promote careers in the electric energy industry.

Companies are invited to sponsor an activity.  Please contact Ed Blum
Energy Voice Institute
PO Box 3318
Parker, Colorado 80134
Phone: 303-506-4782
ed@energyvoiceinstitute.com

Learn more about construction career days at:
www.coloradoconstructioncareerdays.com

Schedule

Students attend a morning session which includes lunch.  Students are scheduled to arrive between 8:00 am and 8:30 am and then participate in the activities, try out the equipment, have lunch and assemble for a fun time of awarding prizes.

What will happen at Energy Career Days?

Heavy, Stationary Equipment Operations:  bucket trucks, service trucks, trenching, pole & tower installation, tree trimming.

Worker Personal and Safety Gear:  climbing, hot stick, fall protection, personal protective equipment.

Design & Management Activities: engineering, project management, billing, emission technologies, dispatching, smart grid

Hands-on activities: meter reading, lineman, boiler & pole inspection, renewables (solar and wind), GIS computer,

Education & Industry Professionals: representatives from post secondary training programs, apprenticeship programs, and internships will be there to provide information and answer questions