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Workforce development is an important issue for the U.S. water power industry, as it’s central to long-term reliability, competitiveness, and growth.
As hydropower facilities modernize, integrate advanced technologies, and navigate evolving operational and regulatory demands, the sector must cultivate a new generation of engineers, skilled tradespeople, environmental scientists, data specialists, legal experts, and project managers who understand the unique complexities of water power.
Events like the Clean Energy Career Expos help further the industry’s talent cultivation by intentionally connecting students to real-world hydro careers, strengthening the talent pipeline, and helping ensure the industry has the skilled workforce needed to operate, maintain, and advance critical infrastructure for decades to come.
CLEAN ENERGY CAREER EXPO CONNECTS STUDENTS WITH HYDRO CAREERS
The Clean Energy Career Expo, hosted by the Uncommon Dialogue’s Working Group 8, which is dedicated to workforce development and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Hydropower Foundation, connected students with industry professionals during Clean Currents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, last October.
Held at the University of Pittsburgh, the event was designed to broaden awareness of the varied career disciplines across the hydropower sector and to connect students with professionals already working in the field.
More than 75 students attended the career expo, representing 11 colleges and universities, including two trade schools. Students engaged with 35 industry professionals who served as discipline representatives and “career concierges,” helping participants navigate the disciplines and professionals aligned with their interests, skills, and educational backgrounds.
“The career expo was a success not only because of the strong turnout of students from schools across the region, but because it brought together professionals from across the hydropower, river restoration, and public safety sectors. Seeing these disciplines collaborate side by side to engage the next generation made the event especially meaningful,” stated Shelly Adams, co-chair of the Uncommon Dialogue’s Working Group 8.
By focusing on career disciplines, the format helped students see how their education, skills, and professional goals could be applied to meaningful careers in hydro. Career discipline representatives shared their pathways into the industry, offered advice on internships and job placement, and discussed how students could apply their skills and backgrounds to hydro careers.
Career concierges met individually with each student to learn about their academic background and career interests, then connected them with the appropriate industry professionals by guiding them to discipline representatives aligned with their goals.
Shelly Adams noted, “The event’s format made it especially impactful to students – it was fun, engaging, and created opportunities for meaningful conversations. Students connected not only with professionals in their own fields of study, but across multiple disciplines, gaining insight into the diverse career pathways within the sector.”
Dr. Mel Lewis, co-chair of the Uncommon Dialogue’s working group 8, agreed, “Students with majors from the sciences, law, business, and the humanities were excited to learn more about mapping their skills on to current and future opportunities in the sector.” As a bonus, students who attended the Career Expo were given complimentary passes to attend Clean Currents to continue to explore the hydro industry and network with professionals.
The career expo showcased hydropower careers across nine key job disciplines, defined by the Uncommon Dialogue Working Group 8 and defined on the Careers that Power the Future webpage:
- Administration and human resources
- Business and finance
- Construction and skilled trades
- Data science, automation, and cybersecurity
- Engineering and hydrology
- Environmental science and sustainability
- Legal
- Operations and maintenance,
- Planning, project management, and regulation
WHY IT MATTERS
By offering direct, discipline-specific conversations and practical career insights, the Clean Energy Career Expo succeeded in increasing student exposure to the breadth of opportunities available in the water power industry. The event reinforced water power’s commitment to meeting the demand for skilled workers and a workforce capable of supporting the future of the industry.
Clean Energy Career Expos will be hosted by the Hydropower Foundation at NHA and Midwest Hydro Users Group’s Midwest Regional Meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 28-29, and at Clean Currents in Phoenix, Arizona, from September 22-24.
If you’re attending these events and interested in serving as a career discipline representative or a career concierge, please contact Ashley Brooks ([email protected]).
