Gulf Power Helping Veterans Connect To Jobs

August 3, 2011

Gulf Power Company has partnered with other utilities to develop “Troops to Energy Jobs,” an effort to link military veterans to job openings in the energy industry.

The program was initiated by Washington-based Center for Energy Workforce Development, which has predicted that almost 40 percent of utility employees nationwide will retire or leave their jobs through attrition during the next five years, leading to almost 200,000 job openings. Southern Company, Gulf Power’s parent firm, helped develop CEWD in 2006 to address the approaching workforce shortage.

“There is a huge correlation between the skill sets that military men and women have and the skill sets that we need,” Jennifer Grove, Gulf Power’s Workforce Development coordinator said. “This program is an example of how our industry has worked on a national level to make sure we have the talent we need, while continuing to support our military community.”

Last year, Southern Company was named one of G.I. Jobs Top 10 Military Friendly Employers for 2010. Gulf Power has actively recruited military servicemen and women over the years by working directly with local military bases.

Darryl Johnson, Work and Family Life consultant for Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton said the local military has had a strong relationship with Gulf Power and Southern Company for 25 years.

“They have been enormously helpful in providing us with job openings and information to help us best place our men and women in a good job,” said Johnson. “I like to call it a “win-win-win” situation. Gulf Power fills a position with someone who has the experience they need, the military serviceman or woman finds a great job, and I get to connect the two.”

Active military personnel who are interested in the “Troops to Energy Jobs” program can go to www.cewd.org and look for the “Troops to Energy Jobs” section. Some of the positions expected to be available include engineers, technicians, line workers, plant operators and pipefitters. To apply for a job at Gulf Power, go to www.southerncompany.com and click on “Careers.”

Comments

2 Responses to “Gulf Power Helping Veterans Connect To Jobs”

  1. 429SCJ on August 6th, 2011 2:27 pm

    America’s veterans have always been our best source for experienced technicians and managers. The journey man program of the us armed forces is second to none. Why import ?

  2. mike on August 3rd, 2011 3:56 pm

    This is indeed a great program, yet as an unemployed veteran that served honorably to include the first Gulf War, I find it insulting that the last paragraph addresses “Active Duty” personnel that are interested…The word “veterans” should be all inclusive!

    There are many veterans like myself who are victims of this economy and continue on a daily basis to find a stable work environment. Bottom line is, as more and more servicemen and women leave the military to seek those decent paying jobs, they are going to experience the harsh reality of what it is like out here in the civilian world. My best goes to all that are serving and those that have served, and especially to the memory of all that made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

    It is indeed a shame to see the struggles and hardships all americans are experiencing. The service men and women of this country are doing their part, these overpaid politicians are the ones who need to be in the unemployment line…but that’s another story…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News