WPS sparks curiosity, creates connections for local students at energy career fair

Shouts of excitement, moments of intense focus and cheers of satisfaction rang out on a fall afternoon in Green Bay. But they weren’t for the green and gold — these sounds came from dozens of local students learning how they could become pros in the energy industry.

Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) connected more than 100 area high school students with energy experts at a career fair in September. Co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Green Bay, the event helped students learn more about the people, tools and technologies that keep the lights on, homes warm and businesses running around the clock.

“Seeing the energy and enthusiasm the students brought to our career fair made it a really fun experience,” said Travis Orlando, senior electric operations supervisor — WPS. “Our industry is evolving in real time, from how we produce energy to using advanced technology to serve our customers. It was exciting to show the students the many career options they can consider to serve their communities every day.”

Hands-on experience with high-tech equipment

Students took part in several interactive stations, working with high-tech equipment like high-voltage tools and thermal imaging drones. WPS employees hosted one of the stations, using an electric wiring display to teach students how they deliver safe and reliable electricity. They also gave students the chance to try out the tools firsthand.

“While students may understand how electricity and natural gas are used in their daily lives, our station provided hands-on learning experiences that helped them gain a deeper appreciation for the careers, technical skills and essential work that make everyday conveniences, such as charging their phones or staying warm in the winter, possible,” said Charles Bauer, electric operations supervisor — WPS.

The career fair also gave students a look at jobs that help residents and businesses improve their energy efficiency. Focus on Energy professionals guided students on measuring a building’s energy use, while home weatherization experts helped students explore careers in heating and cooling homes efficiently. Outdoors, students steered thermal imaging drones above the UW-Green Bay campus to check for air leaks around the outside of buildings.

A female high school student works on a mock electric transformer while wearing heavy-duty rubber gloves.

A WPS employee smiles while speaking with a group of high school students near a mock wiring display.

A small group of high school students look at and study a black SUV-style electric vehicle.

A small group of female high school students pours water from a pitcher onto a miniature hydroelectric power turbine.

WPS employees take a photo with a class of high school students in front of a Wisconsin Energy Workforce Consortium trailer.

Three high school students test out a miniature wind turbine using a box fan with a an instructor inside a college lab classroom.

Interactive lessons on energy innovations

The WPS energy career fair also gave students fun experiences with new technologies that create power, including renewable energy. Students built miniature wind turbines and competed against each other to see which design could lift the most washers at one time. Other stations gave students interactive experiences building hydroelectric generators and exploring how electric vehicles are powered and built.

“With this, it’s a lot more engaging and interesting … because you’re actually working your way through it with struggle and finding out what actually works better through your own actions instead of learning on pen and paper,” said Donovan Bebeau, a Green Bay West High School student who attended the career fair.

Preparing students for future success

WPS hosted the energy career fair as part of its focus on supporting students and raising awareness about careers in the energy industry. Each year, the company works with technical colleges on energy industry career programs, meets with students at high school and college job fairs, and supports educational and energy workforce development organizations. WPS also offers youth apprenticeships to area high school students interested in working toward careers in natural gas field operations.

“Events like this can be important experiences that shape the careers students consider or decide to work toward,” said Kurt Sheedy, lead natural gas distribution mechanic — WPS. “Whether it’s a position working in the field, designing power generation facilities or providing outstanding service to customers, there are nearly unlimited options for a rewarding career in the energy industry.”

WPS hosted its energy career fair in partnership with Focus on Energy, UW-Green Bay, Slipstream, Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program, Wisconsin Clean Cities and the Wisconsin Energy Workforce Consortium.