Energy has always played a key economic role in Colorado, with vast resources in both fossil (oil, natural gas and coal) and renewable resources (wind, solar and biomass). Today our energy economy is undergoing a huge transformation. Labs, universities and private companies are actively researching, developing and delivering energy through every natural resource we have. There are many energy jobs for today and tomorrow in Colorado!

ENERGY

• Microbiologists• Computer & Information Scientists• Petroleum Engineers• Geoscientists• Electrical Engineers• Cartographers & Photogrammetrists• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics• Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers• Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers• Gas Plant Operators• Maintenance & Repair Workers• Electricians• Construction Laborers• Oil & Gas Roustabouts• Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators• Wellhead Pumpers• Pipelayers

Did you know? Many careers traditionally associated with Construction make up a large proportion of Green Jobs. Green Jobs protect the environment & ensure energy security.

Step 1: Identify your interestsCompare your interests, skills and work values with Energy occupations using Labor Market Information’s Career Explorer: Visit www.coworkforce.com/lmigateway •Clickon“ServicesforIndividuals” •Choose“CareerServices”Thiswilltakeyouto“CareerExplorer”whereyoucanmatch your skills to occupations.

Step 2: Explore the Energy industry & careersLearn about high-growth, in-demand careers and what they pay on the LMI Gateway website: www.coworkforce.com/lmigatewayFor more information on a career in Energy, check out www.careervoyages.gov

Step 3: Find education, training & financial aid optionsDiscover the best education or training institutions for your career goals and how to get money for school at www.collegeincolorado.org

Step 4: Find available job openingswww.connectingcolorado.com

Who do you want to be tomorrow?

Microbiologists Investigate growth, structure, development & other characteristics of microscopic organisms & study the effects which antibiotics have on them; often work in the biofuels industry.

$40.27 / $83,760 Doctoral Degree Microbiology, Physics

Petroleum Engineers Devise ways to improve oil/gas production & determine needs for new/modified tool designs. Oversee drilling/offer technical advice, achieving economical & satisfactory progress.

$70.66 / $146,963 Bachelor's Degree Petroleum Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geophysical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Natural Resources Management

Geoscientists Study the composition, structure & other physical aspects of the earth in exploration for oil, gas, minerals or underground water.

$49.07 / $102,074 Bachelor's Degree Environmental Studies, with a Concentration on Energy, Physics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Engineering

Electrical Engineers Design, develop or supervise manufacturing/installation of electrical equipment, components or systems for commercial, industrial, military or scientific use. In high demand in all sectors of Energy.

$40.04 / $83,288 Bachelor's Degree Electrical Engineering

Cartographers & Photogrammetrists Collect, analyze & interpret geographic information provided by surveys, aerial photographs & satellite data. Research, study & prepare maps/other spatial data; work with GIS.

$32.66 / $67,933 Bachelor's Degree Geography &/or Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Surveying & Mapping

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic & pneumatic equipment used in construction, logging & surface mining in oil & gas & mining.

$21.92 / $45,594 Post-secondary vocational training Diesel Power Mechanics

Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers Directly supervise & coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

$29.34 / $61,025 Related work experience Construction Management

Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers Also known as "linemen," install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles & light or heavy duty transmission towers. In high demand in Utilities.

$26.83 / $55,804 At least 1 year of on-the-job training Certificates through Unions & Utilities

Gas Plant Operators Distribute or process gas for utility companies & others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

$31.19 / $64,868 At least 1 year of on-the-job training Process Technology - Energy Operations

Maintenance & Repair Workers Keep machines, mechanical equipment or the structure of an establishment in repair. All Energy sectors depend upon machines & mechanical equipment.

$17.43 / $36,257 At least 1 year of on-the-job training Industrial Maintenance Technologies

Electricians In accordance with relevant codes install, maintain & repair electrical wiring, equipment & fixtures including street lights, intercom systems or electrical control systems.

$22.25 / $46,270 At least 1 year of on-the-job training Electrician

Construction Laborers Perform physical labor tasks at construction sites. Install energy efficiency systems in homes & businesses to reduce energy consumption.

$14.10 / $29,332 1-12 months on-the-job training Renewable Energy Technology, Construction Technology Technician

Oil & Gas Roustabouts Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand/power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.

$16.95 / $35,263 1-12 months on-the-job training Process Technology - Energy Operations

Computer & Information Scientists Conduct research into fundamental computer & information science as theorists, designers or inventors. Solve problems of computer hardware & software. May include project management.

$45.45 / $94,531 Doctoral Degree Computer Science

Excavating & Loading Machine & Dragline Operators Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels or buckets, to excavate & load loose materials.

$20.19 / $41,995 1-12 months on-the-job training Construction Technology Technician

Wellhead Pumpers Operate power pumps & auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in the field.

$23.75 / $49,392 1-12 months on-the-job training Process Technology - Energy Operations

Pipelayers Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains & water mains. May grade trenches or culverts, position pipe or seal joints. Necessary for construction of refineries of petroleum-based fuels & biofuels.

$19.01 / $39,536 1-12 months on-the-job training Apprenticeship

Occupation AverageHourly/Annual Wage

Minimum Education/Training Suggested Programs of Study

Carrie EckertPostdoctoral Fellow, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO Most of Carrie’s days at NREL are spent planning and performing experiments under the guidance of an advisor. As a postdoctoral fellow, her job is like an internship followingherPh.D.Sheresearches possible uses of algae as a biofuel, performing genetic manipulation and proteinpurificationandanalysis.Someday,shehopesher research will allow people to use algae’s hydrogen production as a renewable and clean source of energy. The best part of Carrie’s job is the thrill of seeing something that no one else has everseen.Shelovesproblem-solving and being involved in such an important area of study – renewable energy. Carrie says that upper-level high school science classes gave her a valuable head start on college courses, which eventually led to her career.

www.metrodenver.org/wiredwww.metrodenver.org/wired

Brian CarmichaelLine Crew Foreman for Xcel Energy The best parts of Brian’s job as line crew foreman are working outdoors, getting to move around and doing something different every day. In a typical day, Brian will report to a service center and get his jobs for the day from his supervisor. He’ll then take off in a two-man crew to perform maintenance and service activities, such as rewiring a new house or changing out a bad insulator. He’ll also get trouble calls – sometimes several a day – to respond to things such as a bad transformer or a customer concerned about a low wire. While he really likes the job and variety, he offers one caution.“You’vegottolikethe weather – and not just the months when it’s perfect. If you do, then this is a good job tohave.”

To learn more about occupations & resources, visit

www.MetroDenverCareers.com

Getting There

CollegeInColorado.orgGO FURTHER GO TO COLLEGEwww.e-colorado.orgwww.e-colorado.org

Apprenticeable energy occupations include:•Electricians•Pipelayers•Power Plant Operators•Load DispatchersFor more information, visit: www.doleta.gov/OA/brochure/

energy_fact_sheet.pdf

TheEmilyGriffithOpportunitySchooloffers an Electrician apprenticeship:www.egos-school.com/

apprenticeships/public/electrician

ThisworkforcesolutionwasfundedbyagrantawardedundertheWorkforceInnovationinRegionalEconomicDevelopment(WIRED)asimplementedbytheU.S.Departmentof Labor’s Employment and Training Administration working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Metro Denver Economic DevelopmentCorporation,andtheCityandCountyof Denver’sOfficeof EconomicDevelopment.Thesolutionwascreatedbythegranteeanddoesnotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialpositionof theU.S.Departmentof Labor.TheDepartmentof Labormakesnoguarantees,warranties,orassurancesof anykind,expressorimplied,withrespecttosuch information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

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Community Colleges & Area Technical Colleges

* CU Boulder also offers certificates in Energy at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.** CSU is launching the School of Global Environmental Sustainability, which in the future will offer certificates and graduate degrees for students of all disciplines in the triple-bottom-line of sustainability: environment, social equity and economy.B = Bachelor’s Degree, G = Graduate Degree, C = Concentration/Certificate

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Public University Programs