Tuesday, January 19 | 8:15AM - 3:00PM | Location: 255A

Only accessible to students and faculty advisors 

In partnership with:

skills usa

View The Schedule (opens in a new tab)

 

Connecting Students to Careers in Power 

Pathways to Power: Student Workforce Summit is designed to connect the next generation of talent with the people, companies and career opportunities shaping the power generation industry. 

The Summit brings together students, educators, employers, training organizations, labor organizations and industry leaders to create meaningful connections between education and the workforce. 

Through direct exposure, career conversations, mentorship and access to the POWERGEN exhibition floor, participants can explore what a career in the power sector looks like — and discover the pathways that can help them get there. 

Why This Opportunity Matters 

The power generation industry needs a strong, skilled workforce to build, operate and maintain the infrastructure communities and businesses depend on every day. 

At the same time, students need opportunities to understand where their education and technical skills can lead. 

The Workforce Summit helps bring those two needs together. 

By connecting students directly with employers, training organizations, labor and industry professionals, the Summit creates a more visible and accessible pathway into the power sector. 

 

 

Who Should Attend? 

The Summit is designed for: 

  • Community college and post-secondary students pursuing technical and skilled-trade programs 

  • High school and CTE students exploring technical career pathways 

  • Early-career professionals interested in building their knowledge and industry connections 

  • Educators and training partners preparing students for careers in the power sector 

Relevant programs include electrical technology, power plant technology, industrial maintenance, instrumentation and controls, welding, mechatronics, HVAC and other technical fields. 

Key Focus Areas 

  • Career Pathways: Explore skilled-trade, technical, operations and other in-demand careers. 

  • Education & Workforce: Understand how technical education and skills translate into real-world careers. 

  • Training & Apprenticeships: Discover hands-on pathways to employment and career advancement. 

  • Industry Exposure: Experience POWERGEN and see the technologies and companies driving the industry. 

  • Networking & Mentorship: Connect with employers and industry professionals. 

Why Attend? 

Students will have the opportunity to see the industry in action, meet potential employers, ask questions and discover career pathways beyond the classroom. 

The Summit helps students connect their education and skills to real career opportunities while giving industry partners a chance to engage with the next generation of power-sector talent. 

Why power generation matters right now: 

  • The power generation industry is the foundation every other part of the economy depends on. Without what these workers do, nothing else works. 

  • Skilled trades careers in power generation offer long-term stability in a field that is not at risk of automation or outsourcing. 

  • Entry-level craft and technical positions at major utilities and contractors offer competitive starting wages, full benefits and training at no cost to the employee. 

  • Career progression is real. Many of today's industry leaders started on their tools and advanced into supervision, project management and executive leadership

Explore. Connect. Discover Your Path to Power. 

Become an Education Sponsor (opens in a new tab)

View The Schedule 

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10:15 AM
  1. Why Power Generation, Why Now
    255A
    45 mins
    The power generation industry is hiring at a pace it hasn't seen in decades — and the opportunities are only growing. Industry leaders from utilities, EPCs and labor organizations discuss what's driving demand, from AI and data center construction to grid modernization and the resurgence of gas and nuclear generation. Students will learn why skilled trades careers in power generation offer long-term stability, competitive compensation and clear progression into leadership, and why the work they're training for is the foundation the entire economy depends on. 
11:15 AM
  1. How I Got Here — Career Journeys in Power Generation
    255A
    45 mins
    Hear directly from craft workers, technicians and early-career professionals who are building their careers in the power generation industry today. Panelists from utilities, EPC firms and contractors share how they entered the industry, what the work actually looks like day to day, and where it's taken them — from the tools to the office and beyond. This session puts students face to face with people close to their own age and experience level who are living the career paths the summit is designed to showcase. 
1:00 PM
  1. Getting There: Training, Apprenticeships and Career Pathways
    255A
    45 mins
    Interested in the industry but not sure what to do next? Representatives from training organizations, community colleges, apprenticeship programs and workforce development leaders walk students through the practical routes into the power generation workforce — registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, community college trade pathways, competency-based training models and more. Whether students are exploring open shop or union career tracks, this panel answers the most important question: what's my next step?