Energy Careers
The energy industry employs more than 6.7 million Americans, and that number is expected to grow, while job types are expected to expand in their diversity. Careers in the energy industry account for just under 10% of all the new jobs in the United States.
NEED’s Career and Workforce Development Guides
All NEED curriculum is available for free PDF download or viewable as an e-publication on the NEED shop.
Energy Careers Excursion
This sampler is back again with some new activities that aim to expose students to the many specialized career options and job opportunities in the energy industry, and how even the most general career paths can be involved in bringing energy and electricity to the world around us.
Energy Efficiency Career Enigma
Students put on their detective hats and research clues to uncover facts about careers related to energy and energy efficiency. This cooperative learning activity accesses language arts and critical thinking skills as students try to conceal their own career while guessing the opposing teams’ careers.
Optional Supplemental Excel File
Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics
Developed in partnership with the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund and the Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative. It is designed to provide high school seniors with a one-semester introduction to photovoltaics, from the science of their functioning through the basics of installation.
Solar Careers Pathways
An introduction to career paths directly in or related to solar PV installation. It has been designed to be ten, four-hour sessions for high school seniors or recent graduates, but can be adapted to meet any combination of days to yield a total of 40 hours of training.
Your Future in Wind Energy (Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide)
This unit, created for use in Career and Technology Education programs and classrooms, contains hands-on activities to explore wind energy and career opportunities within the industry. Students will get a closer look at the tools, skills, and concepts necessary to prepare for a job in the growing wind industry.
Your Future in Hydropower (Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide)
Hands-on activities to explore careers and opportunities within the hydropower industry.
Your Future in Marine Hydrokinetics (Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide)
Career and Technology Education activities that provide hands on experience with electricity, magnetism, and generating electricity from marine environments.
Exploring Hydroelectricity (Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide)
Integrated and inquiry-based activities provide secondary students with a comprehensive study of the scientific, economic, environmental, technological, and societal aspects of hydropower.
Optional supplementary Hydropower Careers Guess Who? Slide Deck
Exploring Oil and Natural Gas
“Careers in the Natural Gas Industry” and “Oil and Natural Gas Career Game” on pages 103-106 of this guide.
Energy Career Videos
View more on NEED’s YouTube Channel