The People of Energy

The energy grid is the most powerful machine in the world. It's connected to and reliant upon pipelines, substations, high-voltage lines, and power generated by earth's natural resources. But look closer, and you'll see the heartbeat within the hardware. The energy industry isn't built on steel and copper; it is forged by people. It is a world defined by pride, purpose, and persistence. For two decades, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) has stood at the intersection of talent and transition. As we mark our 20th year of service of developing a highly skilled energy workforce, this book is intended to honor the men and women who work, often out of sight, to power the nation. It celebrates that the greatest asset of this industry isn't the power we generate, but the investment we make in the men and women who power the nation. From the classroom to the bucket trucks to the trenches, the story of energy is a story of opportunity. In these pages, you won't find technical schematics. You will find teams. You'll meet the neighbors who run toward the storm when everyone else is running away. You'll see the community that exists—a brotherhood and sisterhood where "safety" is a love language and "service" is a way of life.