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Energy Education

Which skills do you need in Energy? What are your Energy education options?

The path to a successful Energy career begins with careful planning and informed decision making. Base your education goals on research you've done to understand the skills you need for an Energy career and the education options available.

Energy Training

  • Search for programs in Energy Technologies and Natural Resources using the Minnesota State Campus and Program Search.
  • Visit the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence to find Energy Career Pathways.  You'll find links to Minnesota State programs for each pathway.

Energy Skills & Competencies

It takes more than great technical skills to succeed in Energy. Build your success by gaining the right competencies and skill sets.

How can brilliant people hit a dead end in their career?

Sometimes it's because they lack foundational skills we all need to function in the workplace. The Energy Competency Models helps businesses, workers and students better understand what makes a competent Energy worker.

What Is a Competency Model?

A competency model is a collection of skills, knowledge, abilities, and other personal characteristics. Together, they enable successful performance in a particular job. Competency models are used in human resources for recruitment and hiring, training and development, and performance management.

Why Is a Competency Model Important to Me?

Competency models are developed by industry leaders. They outline the expectations businesses have for their workers. As a student, job seeker or career changer, you should review competency models as part of your career exploration. They will help you to understand the soft and technical skills and knowledge a worker is expected to have in that particular industry.

What knowledge and skills does an energy worker need?

Take a look at the Energy Competency Models. Some may appear complicated at first. But they will enable you to make better decisions about building the skills needed for your Energy career. Each interactive version links to competency block definitions and occupational competency profiles. Download the industry model and worksheets in several formats.

What Energy Employers Are Really Looking For

Minnesota Energy Employers Speak from various regions of the state. They reveal what they are looking for in their new hires and current workforce, the skills and experience employers need but are not finding, and how educational institutions can help to address these gaps. Employers' spoken quotes are organized into general themes and issues.

Find out Why Skills Are Important, and how to gain or improve your skills.