Energy, Environment, and Utilities Sector

Description

The Energy, Environment, and Utilities (EEU) Industry Sector is a California Department of Education (CDE) program designed to identify and develop model curriculum standards, instructional resources, and assessment strategies for teachers, students, guidance personnel, curriculum planners, and administrators. Leadership in the EEU industry sector is fostered through partnerships with a variety of energy, environment, and utilities industry partners and key representatives from the CDE, California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California. The program provides tools, resources, strategies, activities, and model curriculum standards to assure that students are offered relevant and challenging academic and career-related experiences. Through on-going implementation of high quality, standards-based programs, students may access a range of sequential courses of study developing skills in various EEU career pathways, as well as focused in-depth study of specific EEU careers.

The EEU Sector is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills in careers related to energy, environment, and utilities. Careers in the EEU sector fall within three general pathways: the Environmental Resources Pathway, the Energy and Power Technology Pathway, and the Telecommunications Pathway. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant knowledge, skills, and experiences of significant scope and depth in environmental resources, energy and power technology, and telecommunications. The Standards integrate academic and technical preparation and focus on career awareness, career exploration, preparation for entry to technical-level employment, and alignment with postsecondary programs focused on energy, environmental resources, utilities, telecommunications, and related fields.

The Environmental Resources Pathway prepares students for training, employment, and/or postsecondary education in a variety of environmental industries. Careers associated with this pathway include, but are not limited to: Air Quality Technician, Climatologist, Environmental Biologist/Technician/Scientist, Environmental Health and Safety Officer, Hazardous Waste Operations, and Emergency Response Technician.

The Energy and Power Technology Pathway provides learning opportunities for students interested in preparing for careers in the energy and power industries, with growing emphasis on sustainable energy technology. Careers associated with this pathway include, but are not limited to: Energy Efficiency Evaluation Specialist; Energy Engineer; Energy Generation/Power Distribution, Maintenance, Inspection, and Repair Technicians; Energy/Building Retrofit Specialist; and Plant/Field Weatherization Installer.

The Telecommunications Pathway prepares students for training, employment, and/or postsecondary education in the wireless and fixed-line communications industries. Careers associated with this pathway include, but are not limited to: Cable/Telecommunications Installation and Maintenance Technicians; Line Workers; Network Operators, Technicians, Designers, and Managers; Network Security Administrator; and Satellite Systems Installation/Engineers.

Energy and Utilities Industry Sector Program Summary

Energy, Environment, and Utilities Industry Sector Pathways

• Environmental Resources Pathway
• Energy and Power Technology Pathway
• Telecommunications Pathway

Resources

• Career Technical Education Framework (PDF; 10MB)
• Advanced Transportation and Renewable Energy (ATRE)
• Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards: Energy, Environment, and Utilities Industry Sector (PDF; 4MB)
• California 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 Industrial Relations Apprenticeship Web page
• SkillsUSA California
  Since 1965, SkillsUSA has provided leadership training to students and instructors in the career and technical education arena. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce by providing educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation's classrooms.
• California Educators Together
  California Educators Together, formerly CTE Online, is a resource devoted to connecting educators and leaders within the unique field of Career and Technical Education to quality curriculum models, shared communities of practice, and professional development tools that emphasize the role rigorous academic skills play in supporting students' pursuit of industry and career-related coursework.
• 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)
• Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS)

Contact Information

Career Technical Education Leadership Office
Career and College Transition Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4202
Sacramento, CA 95814