1. I am proud to represent an initiative that the energy industry has launched to accelerate the employability of veterans into the great jobs offered by our industry. While many energy utilities have long standing and excellent military outreach programs, this new program will develop a national template for all energy utilities.

2. “From the front lines to the power lines.”
The Troops to Energy Jobs program was launched nationally at a July 11 event at the National Press Club. Tom Farrell, Chairman, CEO and President of Dominion designated this effort as a hallmark of his year as Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute. He is pictured here with Tom Kuhn, the President of the Edison Electric Institute.
We were proud to have over 300 utility executives, congressional and executive branch staff as well as a variety of other stakeholders join us to celebrate this launch. We were very pleased to be joined by Congressmen Jim Costa, Rob Wittmann, Morgan Griffin, Ed Whitfield and Senator Mark Warner. Assistant Secretary of the Army Katherine Hammack was also among our dignitaries.

3. Pilot Companies
I mentioned that five pilot companies are providing the financial and human resources to develop a template that can be deployed nationally. Several of these companies are already leaders in military recruitment and have made a commitment to share their expertise so these efforts can be successful across the country.

4. “Today’s veterans can serve as the next generation of energy leadership.”
– U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
Secretary Chu provided keynote remarks at the July 11 national launch and highlighted the importance of attracting highly skilled workers like veterans to meet our country’s energy challenges.

5. Sponsors
These ten companies are sponsoring the Troops to Energy jobs and we are grateful that their financial support will expedite our ability to nationalize this effort.
This is a unique program driven by employers and employer needs

6. How will it work?
Pilot Companies share best practices and learn from each other
Collaboration to create a National Template for all utilities
Building relationships with key connection points in military and other government agencies that provide support
Center for Energy Workforce Development creating blueprint for others to follow
Five companies----AEP, Arizona Public Service, Dominion, Southern and Pacific Gas & Electric agreed to be the pilots for this effort. In additional to a significant financial commitment, the pilot companies are sharing best practices so that the national template we develop will truly incorporate the best of the best.
Examples of resources produced for employers
Troops to Energy Jobs Resource Guide - contains resources on recruiting, hiring, and retaining the Veterans
Mentoring Toolkit - provides structure for the first several months of the mentor/mentee working together to ensure a successful transition from the military to the civilian workplace.

7. Phased-in Approach
“Ready Now”: transition directly to energy jobs with on-the-job training (e.g. Security Officers)
Those requiring some post-secondary education (e.g. Telecommunications Technician)
Veterans requiring extensive post-secondary education (e.g. Medic)
The pilot companies will start first with the group that we call “Ready Now” – those individuals that have the skills and experience to enter our jobs without additional training. Much of what we are focusing on is to minimize the time between when a veteran leaves the military and when they begin employment, so we wanted to make sure that everything was in place for this group first. Then we will move on to helping those who need successively more training.

8. Program Components
Targeted outreach and support for former military personnel from recruiting to employment including career navigation website, career coaching and mentoring before and after exiting service
A clearly defined system of competencies and industry-recognized credentials that are linked to employment opportunities and advancement.
Accelerated education pathways and a strong education network of post-secondary institutions that support the process
Employer involvement and collaboration in all phases leading to employment
This slide details the features that will be part of any successful program. We will use former military personnel to help us recruit and coach others through the process.
As we map the skills already held by veterans to our industry jobs, we will develop accelerated pathways to provide any gap training that is necessary.

9. Troops to Energy Jobs Website
Career Navigation Tool – Kuder Journey for Military
Career Interest Inventory/ Values Assessment and Skills Assessment
Resume Writing Tips and Tools and Interviewing Skill Tips
Document management, e.g. certificates
Personal webpage creation
E-portfolio for life

10. Career Coaching
Veterans have unique needs transitioning to civilian employment and customized coaching is essential
Coaches help Veterans transition from military through training to jobs
Virtual Career Coaches – Ready Now Veterans
Local Career Coaches – all other Veterans
Coaches will remain with Veteran until 6 months after hire

11. Stackable Credentials8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Tier 6–8 Job Specific Skills/Credentials
Associate Degree
Boot Camp / Apprenticeship for College Credit
Accelerated Associate Degree
Occupation-Specific Requirements
Occupation-Specific Technical
Occupation-Specific Knowledge Areas
Industry-Specific Technical
Industry-Wide Technical
Workplace Requirements
Academic Requirements
Personal Effectiveness
Tier 4–5 Industry Fundamentals
Energy Industry Fundamentals Certificate
Tier 1–3 Basic Training
Energy Industry Employability Skills Certificate / WorkKeys
National Career Readiness Certificate
Energy Competency Tier Model for Skilled Technician Positions in Energy Efficiency, Energy Generation and Energy Transmission and Distribution

12. Accelerated Education Pathways
College Credit for Service Member Training
Bridge
Curriculum if required
Credentials and Requirements for Employment
For In-demand Positions
Engineers
Line workers
Plant operators
Technicians
Pipefitters/pipelayers/welders
Security officers
As we map the skills already held by veterans to our industry jobs, we will develop accelerated pathways to provide any gap training that is necessary.

13. Resources for Troops to Energy Jobs Resource Guide Mentoring Toolkit
contains resources on recruiting, hiring, and retaining the Veterans
Mentoring Toolkit
provides structure for the first several months of the mentor/mentee working together to ensure a successful transition from the military to the civilian workplace.

14. Benefits to Veterans
The opportunity to learn about careers that match their military training and experience
A customized approach for career navigation into the energy industry
Mentoring and virtual networking with connections to other Veterans who have transitioned to the energy industry
Accelerated training opportunities as Veterans shift to industry careers
Stackable credentials that are portable from company to company
Jobs in an industry that is stable and growing
There are many features of the energy industry that make us great employers for veterans.
First, and importantly, our jobs take advantage of the skills and training received in the military and the compensation reflects that experience. Our jobs pay family sustaining wages and provide for a career.

15. Lessons Learned
Navigating the many organizations out there for Veterans is difficult
Utilities need a company wide strategy with all internal stakeholders engaged
Although clearly a value for Veterans, Career Coaching seen as additional work by pipeline organizations

16. For more information, contact:
Ann Randazzo
Executive Director
Center for Energy Workforce Development
701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C