ESTEC

Idaho National Laboratory is leading regional and national efforts to ensure a new generation of technicians and technologists is trained to replace the aging energy workforce.

About 54 percent of workers in the energy industry are expected to retire within the next 10 years and must be replaced, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which recently rated the outlook for energy jobs as “excellent.”

The need for highly trained and qualified maintenance technicians and operations staff is especially acute.  

INL is actively addressing this need for technicians through its workforce development initiatives. For example, a partnership established by INL, Idaho State University and Partners for Prosperity has resulted in the creation of the Energy Systems Technology and Education Center (ESTEC) on ISU’s Pocatello campus.

ESTEC trains technicians and operators to work in various energy industries, including wind, nuclear and oil and gas.

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Center for Energy Workforce Development

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