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The proclamation of Careers in Energy Week by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was announced Oct. 6 in Hartford by the Center for Energy Workforce Development, a consortium of energy utilities that has been pushing for national recognition of the event. “As a New England utility with approximately 1,900 employees at all career levels, we are excited that the state has chosen to officially recognize the energy sector’s economic importance to Connecticut,” said James P. Torgerson, chief executive officer of UIL Holdings. “The sector offers exciting opportunities at all levels of employment. We take pride in our efforts to develop the workforce necessary to meet the region’s future energy needs.” The U.S. Department of Labor projected that applicants with college education or advanced technical training can expect to have the best opportunities, and that earnings for production workers are significantly higher than in most other industries. “We consistently monitor and evaluate trends within our own workforce. That’s why we work with regional high schools, universities and business associations to ensure that we have access to an employment pool with the skills, knowledge and resources we’ll need going forward,” said Diane Pivirotto, UIL’s vice president for human resources. UIL and its utilities — Berkshire Gas Company, Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, Southern Connecticut Gas Company and The United Illuminating Company — have a variety of initiatives to attract, retain and train employees with the skills they need. - UIL actively recruits students from the region’s technical high schools and universities to become line workers and engineers. Partners include Fairfield University, the University of Connecticut, the University of New Haven, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and others. - The UI Foundation provides scholarship assistance to qualified engineering students and offers paid internships in various positions. - UIL representatives visit career fairs to talk to students about opportunities in the energy industry. Students participate in interactive exercises and are invited to examine some of the equipment we use. The 2011 program included presentations to students from New Haven high schools, Bridgeport Multicultural School, Truman School of New Haven and Edgewood School of New Haven. - UIL is a proud partner with INROADS Inc. Founded in 1970, INROADS is an national organization that helps businesses gain greater access to diverse talent by providing internships and mentoring for college students. Several students have become permanent employees through this partnership. - UIL employees contribute directly to workforce development by teaching classes at local educational institutions, including Bridgeport University, and by mentoring through programs like MentorNet, an online network that matches students with mentor professionals in engineering, math and science fields. - UIL is co-chair of the Connecticut Energy Workforce Development Consortium, a partnership between energy related businesses, academic and government representatives seeking to ensure that a skilled workforce exists to meet the needs and promote the growth of traditional energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency related businesses. UIL also supports the American Association of Blacks in Energy. - In Massachusetts, Berkshire Gas has hired employees through a U.S. Department of Labor program that seeks to stimulate hiring, particularly of the long-term unemployed. © Copyright by ConnecticutPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of ConnecticutPlus.com, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. CURRENT HEADLINES:
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