No matter how industries or technology changes in the coming decades, there's at least one thing we know for sure everyone will need: electricity. Whether it's generated by coal, oil, solar, wind or even some future technology that hasn't been created yet, the American energy sector is going to need people to keep the power flowing and keep an eye on the North American electric power grid.
IncSys, a leading developer of power system operator training simulation software, runs a simulation-based online academy. The IncSys Academy trains and certifies energy sector hires to the standards of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the nonprofit regulatory agency that ensures the reliability of the North American power grid while minimizing risks and ensuring its security.
Electric distribution workers, power plant operators and field workers are all required to be NERC certified, and to receive a certain amount of continuing education. These roles are critical to the stability and security of the United States, and IncSys believes they should be staffed with what it believes are the most qualified group of Americans: U.S. military veterans.
In 2009, the Power4Vets Training & Placement Program was launched to prepare and certify veterans to work in the energy sector because IncSys believes the skills and experience veterans receive during their service prepares them for the level of responsibility required of the job. Veterans' decision-making abilities affect the reliability of electric delivery to millions, the lives of their co-workers and the protection of millions of dollars of equipment.
Since its inception, the Power4Vets program has trained more than 300 veterans and placed them in jobs at 90 different companies across the United States. It's a self-paced certification series that can be accessed anywhere, at any time and can be finished in anywhere from two months to one year.
The program uses a combination of online tutorials and lectures combined with simulator exercises to prepare trainees for their NERC certification exams. The course also includes all the exam prep materials within its own Learning Management System, which is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
After receiving certification, veterans have access to the Power4Vets job placement assistance network, which includes administrators who help find job openings and prepare candidates for the application and interview process.
The Power4Vets training and placement program costs $5,100. Veterans only pay $600 upfront as a registration fee and a deposit on tuition. From there, the remaining $4,500 is paid only when the veteran finds a job in the energy sector. Tuition is then paid on a structured payment plan, based on their starting salary, over the course of 3-12 months.
Active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force members may be eligible to use Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) assistance to receive a voucher to pay for their NERC certifications through Power4Vets. Visit your branch's COOL website to learn how to receive a voucher.
To learn more about Power4Vets or begin the program application process, visit the IncSys Power4Vets application website.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn.
Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs?
Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.
