Press Release

PUC Hosts Discussion on Veteran Outreach & Hiring by Utilities; Collaborates with Agencies, Utilities and National Association

Published on 8/10/2017

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently hosted a collaborative with several stakeholders regarding job outreach, training and hiring opportunities for military veterans.  Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) joined Commissioner David W. Sweet, Chairman Gladys M. Brown and PUC staff in a conversation with representatives from the state’s major electric, natural gas, water and telecommunications utilities to discuss existing veteran hiring programs and explore possible ways to better coordinate government and utility outreach.  This ongoing initiative is being coordinated in conjunction with a national discussion about how utilities, utility regulators and other stakeholders can advance these efforts.

“Our veterans are talented and dedicated individuals who have already demonstrated an ability to tackle the most challenging tasks,” Commissioner Sweet said. “It is important that we coordinate public and private efforts to reach these talented men and women – highlighting best practices and lessons learned in both the utility and government sectors in order to create more opportunities for veterans and ensure a skilled workforce to meet the utility needs of the future.”

Future goals for the Pennsylvania collaborative include strengthening the connections between utility human resources departments, who are searching for strong candidates, and L&I, which works with veterans and others seeking employment; clarifying the potential utility/private sector applications for military training, and better “translating” those service-related skills into civilian job descriptions; further promoting apprenticeship and job training programs; increasing the exchange of information about job openings and combining recruiting and promotion of Pennsylvania as a good location for utility career opportunities.

“Helping veterans find employment is one of the most important and rewarding things we do at the Department of Labor & Industry,” said L&I Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani. “We’re proud to offer job seeker and other veteran services at the 59 PA CareerLink® locations statewide. In addition, our Apprenticeship and Training Office helps veterans access training programs that allow them to earn while they learn.”

The department’s Office of Apprenticeship and Training, created in 2016, works to expand registered apprenticeships and the participation of non-traditional businesses and under-represented participants in registered apprenticeships. Since its inception last year, the Office of Apprenticeship and Training has added 1,714 new apprentices and 66 new registered apprenticeship occupations statewide.

The recent Pennsylvania meeting is part of an ongoing nationwide effort regarding veteran outreach in the utility sector, which was launched by PUC Commissioner Robert F. Powelson as one of the key initiatives for his presidency of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Commissioner Sweet is a member of the NARUC Presidential Task Force on Veterans’ Workforce and is also leading the PUC’s efforts to encourage enhanced veterans outreach and hiring by utilities across Pennsylvania.

Military workforce development efforts were a key topic at the recent NARUC Summer Policy Summit, held in late July, as regulators and utility leadership from across the country discussed opportunities, challenges and benefits related to recruiting and retaining veterans – with many stakeholders noting the resemblances between the team-building and mission-focused training that service members receive, and the similar focus in the utility sector on maintaining critical services.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov