Nicor Gas Career Academy marks 100-graduate milestone

Rhea-AI Summary

The Nicor Gas Career Academy has graduated over 120 students from its job-readiness program, designed to prepare participants for entry-level roles in the utility industry, particularly in natural gas. Notably, the sixth cohort graduated 24 participants, marking the milestone of 100 graduates since inception in 2018. The program focuses on essential skills, including safety and employability, and has achieved a 50% employment rate among participants. Recognized with the 2021 Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development, the academy aims to address workforce readiness as 35% of Nicor's workforce is projected to retire in the next decade.

Positive

• Over 120 students graduated from the Nicor Gas Career Academy, indicating successful program outreach.
• The sixth cohort graduation marked the 100th milestone participant.
• More than 50% of program participants secured full-time positions with Nicor or partner companies, showcasing effective workforce integration.
• The program received the 2021 Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development for community engagement.

Negative

• None.

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Dec. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nicor Gas Career Academy has graduated more than 120 students from its job-readiness program. The six-week free career development program is designed to prepare participants for entry-level work in the utility industry, with a focus on natural gas.

Nicor Gas Career Academy receives Center for Energy Workforce Development 2021 Impact Award

"We are immensely proud of those who have participated in the Nicor Gas Career Academy and look forward to seeing them thrive within the energy industry," said John O. Hudson III, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. "This unique program helps Nicor Gas fulfill our commitment to the communities we serve to safely and reliably deliver fuel now and well into the future."

Nicor Gas, together with IBEW Local 19, the Quad County Urban League and NPL Construction Co., launched the program in 2018 to ensure the natural gas workforce is ready to build the future of energy. The program has grown to include INTREN, KS Energy Services and Pipe Strong. The sixth cohort of the Nicor Gas Career Academy just graduated 24 participants, marking its 100th milestone participant.

"It's an honor to represent this cohort when I know where I came from ... I never would have thought I would lead a group of people anywhere," said Chris Kimbrough, who was selected as one of two participant speakers during the cohort's virtual graduation ceremony. "We're all connected through our experience and this program has helped prepare us for our personal lives and careers."

The Nicor Gas Career Academy curriculum focuses on natural gas operations training, but also integrates core math concepts, safety, technology and employability skills, as well as personal and professional development. Participants receive 120 hours of professional- and employee-facilitated academy sessions that include classroom learning and field shadowing experiences in the Nicor Gas call center to understand the customer experience and with the resource management team to learn how field work is assigned and dispatched across the company's 17,00-square-mile territory.

More than 2,000 Nicor Gas employees work in a variety of technical, administrative and professional roles, including those who design, construct, operate and maintain the company's more than 34,000 miles of underground pipeline. Based on age and years of service, 35% of Nicor Gas' workforce is projected to retire over the next 10 years.

Recruiting and training diverse cohorts is a primary focus of the Nicor Gas Career Academy, which received a 2021 Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development. The CEWD's Impact Award recognizes a company for developing unique connections within the local community – with educators, minority facing organizations, workforce systems or other groups – that have yielded demonstrated results in fueling the talent pipeline.

More than 50% of the program participants have secured full-time roles with Nicor Gas or one of the partner companies. To learn more about the Nicor Gas Career Academy, which will begin recruiting for its 7th cohort in the spring, visit nicorgas.com/careeracademy.

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.2 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company.  Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with 666,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas and related home services. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit Southern Company Gas at southerncompanygas.com.

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SOURCE Nicor Gas

FAQ

What is the Nicor Gas Career Academy and what does it offer?

The Nicor Gas Career Academy is a job-readiness program providing training for entry-level roles in the utility industry, focusing on natural gas operations, safety, and employability skills.

How many students have graduated from the Nicor Gas Career Academy?

The Nicor Gas Career Academy has graduated over 120 students since its inception.

What recognition did the Nicor Gas Career Academy receive in 2021?

In 2021, the Nicor Gas Career Academy received the Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development.

What percentage of graduates from the Nicor Gas Career Academy found jobs?

More than 50% of program participants have secured full-time positions with Nicor Gas or partner companies.

Why is the Nicor Gas Career Academy important for the energy workforce?

The Nicor Gas Career Academy is crucial as 35% of Nicor Gas' workforce is expected to retire in the next decade, highlighting the need for skilled replacements.