AMARILLO, Texas (Nov. 7, 2018) – Generating electricity and shipping it at the speed of light over thousands of miles requires a cohesive workforce of highly trained individuals. And as Xcel Energy shapes its future workforce, military veterans are playing an ever larger role.
“The military is a great training ground for the types of jobs we offer at Xcel Energy, and it is in our best interest to capitalize on the investment our nation has made in our military veterans as they continue their service to our area communities,” said David Hudson, president, Xcel Energy - New Mexico, Texas.
The company has committed to a goal of ensuring veterans make up at least 10 percent of all new hires as it seeks to fill the shoes of workers who are moving in greater numbers toward retirement. Year to date, that percentage stands at 10.2 percent, and two years ago it exceeded 14 percent. Currently, 9.8 percent of all Xcel Energy employees are veterans of the military.
Xcel Energy employs a full-time recruiter who works with veterans on career coaching and resume assistance. The company engages in military-specific marketing and communications efforts and participates in more than 35 job fairs that specifically target military veterans and active reservists throughout its New Mexico and Texas service territory.
Additionally, veterans who come on as apprentices in Xcel Energy’s substation and line departments can use G.I. Bill benefits to help them purchase tools and equipment for their job, as well as supplement their income up to the journeyman level, Hudson said.
These efforts and benefits have led Military Times to name the company “Best for Vets,” and G.I. Jobs magazine has recognized Xcel Energy as a “Military Friendly Employer” for eight years.
Veteran support at Xcel Energy extends to the company’s retention efforts. Heather Hancock, who works with the company’s property services team in Amarillo, volunteers her time with a company-sponsored organization known as MOVE, or Military Ombudsmen for Veterans and Employees. Established in 2012, MOVE provides opportunities for veteran employees to get involved in the community through efforts such as placing flags at cemeteries on Memorial Day and serving food for send-off and welcome-home events for the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight.
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About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
