A representative from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities visited the University of North Carolina at Pembroke campus in Pembroke, North Carolina on July 11, 2023. (Photo courtesy: U.S. Department of Energy)
The purpose of HACU’s visit was to observe the Dominion Energy-sponsored Summer Bridge Program, which is being hosted at select colleges and universities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
This program is a partnership between Dominion Energy and HACU, with the goal of increasing Hispanic representation in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and energy fields.
Eric Falcon, HACU’s program manager for STEM student success, gave a presentation on student programs during the visit. The program allows students to explore careers in STEM and energy industries, and get accustomed to campus life and college-level coursework, earning college credits in the process.
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is one of seven schools participating in the Summer Bridge Program, alongside George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Sampson Community College, University of Connecticut at Stamford, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, and Utah Valley University.
The 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report by the Department of Energy reveals a 3.8% growth in the energy workforce in 2022, adding almost 300,000 jobs with clean energy jobs increasing in every state.
Unionized employers experienced less difficulty in hiring qualified workers and invested more in diversity and inclusion efforts, resulting in more women and veterans being employed in the energy sector.
The report also shows that unionized employers have a higher rate of formal diversity, equity, and inclusion plans, making them an attractive option for skilled workers.
The highest unionization rate was found in the transmission, distribution, and storage sector, which also had a higher percentage of non-white workers.
The growth in energy jobs is a positive sign for addressing the climate crisis, promoting job creation, and economic development nationwide.
The Investing in America agenda and historic investments in energy infrastructure and domestic supply chains are creating unprecedented demand for workers in the energy sector, making it easier for unionized employers to recruit and hire skilled workers while promoting diversity, equity, and job quality.
HACU was on the University of North Carolina at Pembroke campus on July 11, 2023, in Pembroke, North Carolina, visiting the Dominion Energy-sponsored Summer Bridge Program being held at select colleges and universities across the country and Puerto Rico.https://t.co/YrZdelIWGO pic.twitter.com/sENHySqcvq
— HACU (@HACUNews) July 14, 2023
The numbers. Are. Out. We’ve released the 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) and it’s lookin good. @SecGranholm met with labor, business, and local gov’t leaders to talk about clean energy jobs.
Report highlights: https://t.co/dID8NqPSGb pic.twitter.com/uAbUN0E6A9
— U.S. Department of Energy (@ENERGY) June 28, 2023
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