2008 Corporate Responsibility Report
How we are creating a smarter foundation for a sustainable future
Through PowerPathway™, PG&E is developing a reliable pipeline of skilled workers who can deliver the high-quality service our customers expect.
The utility industry faces an impending workforce challenge, with 25 to 50 percent of utility sector employees becoming eligible for retirement over the next 5 to 10 years. PG&E is no exception—approximately 42 percent of our workforce will be eligible to retire over the next five years.
By working to address this trend, PG&E is distinguishing itself as a leader in the field of workforce development through its PowerPathway™ program—an innovative initiative that helps build capacity in California to produce the skilled workers needed by PG&E and the energy industry.
Launched in 2008, PowerPathway relies on collaboration between labor, industry, government, community-based organizations, foundations and California educational institutions. PowerPathway leverages each partner's strengths to prepare students from diverse and underserved communities to compete for good-paying, high-demand energy sector positions.
In 2008, PowerPathway's pilot training programs launched at four community colleges in northern California: Laney College, College of San Mateo, Fresno City College and Butte College. The pioneering courses provided job-readiness skills for the under-employed, veterans, displaced workers and those in mid-career—enhancing their academic, physical conditioning, technical, job-specific and "soft" skills.
These PowerPathway graduates qualified at an unprecedented level on PG&E's pre-employment test. And more than 50 percent of those who completed the pilot programs were hired by PG&E or its contractor partners—leading to positions with a starting wage of at least $19.50 per hour. Additionally, the diversity among those who test-qualified averaged 58 percent.
Looking ahead, future programs will be offered in Sacramento and San Francisco. In addition, PowerPathway will expand from short-term community college programs to additional curricula that can strengthen the state's ability to produce the future workforce.
PG&E is expanding its efforts to share best practices with other employers, with the goal of having additional employers engage in a collaborative approach to workforce development. PowerPathway was also awarded a $500,000 grant from the California Department of Veterans Affairs to train recently separated veterans.
Given the increasing focus on upgrading the nation's energy grid and providing "green" jobs, PG&E is uniquely positioned to inform job training efforts going forward. The PowerPathway program can serve as a blueprint for other utilities looking to enlarge their local pool of qualified candidates. PG&E is also using its experience to help advance federal and national policies that will benefit both the industry and communities in need.