Description
Because the energy and utilities industry sector consists of many different companies and products, skills developed in one segment may be transferable to other segments. The career pathways in this sector emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth. Students with skills in specific segments will be prepared to enter local, state, and national employment markets. This sector’s career pathways provide career opportunities for persons with varying levels of experience and education, and the sector is forecast to experience significant growth in employment over the next decade, particularly in jobs related to water and sewage systems. In addition, production workers’ earnings are significantly higher than those in most other industries.
The electromechanical installation and maintenance pathway provides learning opportunities for students interested in working in production, installation, maintenance, and repair. In this pathway students learn how to maintain and repair pipelines and power lines, operate and repair plant machinery, and monitor treatment processes. The Energy and Environmental Technology pathway provides learning experiences for students interested in energy production and environmental concerns including how to install, repair, and maintain power-generating stations, gas plants, water treatment plants, and wet-sewage treatment plants. The public utilities pathway provides opportunities for students interested in a variety of public utility industries, including, but not limited to, power plant operation, power distribution and dispatching, and operation of water treatment plants or wastewater plants. The residential and commercial energy and utilities pathway provides learning opportunities for obtaining, verifying, and maintaining primary financial data and records, including recording the usage of electricity, gas, water, and sewer utilities.
Energy and Utilities Industry Sector Program Summary
Energy and Utilities Industry Sector Pathways
- Electromechanical Installation and Maintenance
- Energy and Environmental Technology
- Residential and Commercial Energy and Utilities
- Public Utilities
Sample of Career Technical Education Courses
Illustrates: education level and related occupations for electromechanical installation & maintenance, energy & environmental technology, residential & commercial energy & utilities, and public utilities.
Resources
- Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards (PDF; 4MB; 441pp.) May 2005 Edition.
- Career Technical Education Framework (PDF; 10MB; 484pp.)
- CA Partnership Academies
The academy model is a three-year program, grades 10-12, structured as a school-within-a-school. Academies incorporate integrated academic and career technical education, business partnerships, mentoring, and internships. - California Department of Education Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning, and "learning by doing." It combines training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school. - California Department of Industrial Relations Apprenticeship Web page (outside source).
- SkillsUSA California (Outside Source)
Since 1965 SkillsUSA has provided leadership training to students and instructors in the career and technical education arena. - CTE Online (Outside Source)
CTE Online is poised as a resource devoted to connecting educators and leaders within the unique field of CTE to quality professional development tools. - Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROC/Ps): career and workforce preparation for high school students and adults, preparation for advanced training, and the upgrading of existing skills. - California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) (Outside Source)
- Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) (Outside Source)
Contact Information
Lloyd McCabe, Ed.D, Education Administrator I
Karen Shores, Education Programs Consultant
Career
Technical Education Leadership and Instructional Support Office
Career and College Transition Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814
