Troops to Energy Jobs: A Great Idea
I’ve previously written about Arizona’s economy and its sluggish recovery from the Great Recession. Arizona’s unemployment rate is currently at 9.1 percent and most economists predict it will remain at high levels over the next couple of years.
But, I’m bullish on Arizona and remain convinced we’re experiencing a temporary, albeit longer than previously experienced, set-back from our historic growth patterns. The foundation for a return to robust economic growth remains. Arizona’s diverse and abundant natural beauty, an attractive, sunny climate, and strong commitment to community by its citizens combine to make us a magnet for growth. We just need a few sparks to ignite the economic engine again.
A recently announced bright spot in Arizona’s employment picture is APS’ announcement to recruit military veterans to APS jobs. The unemployment rate for military veterans is especially high, hovering at over 11 percent nationally. APS joins four other power companies in participating in a pilot program called, “Troops to Energy Jobs.” The program is designed to fill a need for skilled workers in the electricity industry by supporting education and training for military veterans for specific jobs in the electricity industry. The program will bridge the gap between training received in military service, with the skills necessary to take on jobs in the energy field.
The power industry has been lamenting the looming loss of skilled utility workers for several years now as the baby boom generation, which comprises a major component of the utility workforce, enters retirement. For the APS workforce, somewhere around 40 percent of its workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next 3 years. As Arizona’s economy recovers and the stock market produces improvements in 401K earnings, it’s likely that many of these workers will indeed leave their jobs for retirement.
The skill set required to operate electric utilities is not easily replaced. The problem is particularly acute for utilities operating nuclear plants. There haven’t been any nuclear plants built in the U.S. in several decades, and so the pipeline of newly-trained workers is near empty. As existing nuclear workers retire, the need for replacement workers in the nuclear power field will be great.
Returning military veterans offer utility companies like APS a human resource pool of individuals with general skills, training, and experience desired by utilities. Many vets have training in areas like equipment operation, mechanics, security, and communications. Military training also stresses safety, which is essential in operating utility facilities and ancillary equipment. Veterans returning to civilian life from service in the Nuclear Navy offer a particularly good fit for jobs in nuclear power plants like Palo Verde.
So, hats off to APS and the other utility companies participating in the “Troops to Energy Jobs” program. It’s a great way to support those defending America and to solve an important and critical civilian workforce need.
To find out more about the Troops to Energy Jobs program, click here.


