Everyone wants an exciting, fulfilling, and well-paying career. The problem is, there are too many options and a lot of competition. Then there’s the cost of education to throw in the mix. But what if there was a clearer path to building a successful career?
Gas distribution contractors provide our nation with access to essential resources through natural gas and underground utility work. That’s right, pipelines. What most people don’t know is, careers in this industry are high-paying, highly rewarding, and you get expert on-the-job training—so you don’t have to fork out an arm and a leg in college tuition to get started.
Industry Career Center
View and apply for DCA Scholarships
DCA represents a significant network of member companies in the pipeline construction industry. Your resume will be posted in the Career section of the DCA website.
Who You Should Target. And Why.
Vets
Veterans are uniquely suited for a second career in the energy industry. They are self-motivated, disciplined, outcome-driven, and safety-conscious.
Women
Recruiting women is high on the agenda of our industry. Opportunities for women have never been greater as diversity is vital to creating innovative approaches to the challenges our industry is facing.
Students
There are jobs for students ready to work right out of high school, those interested in apprenticeships, and for those pursuing a college degree or technical certificate.
Career Changers
Recent events have forced many to consider career- changes, and with more than 100 kinds of skilled, well-paying careers that offer reliable employment, our industry should be an attractive option.
Gen Z and Millennials
As our workforce is ages, we need to attract younger generations to fill the gap. These two groups are at the forefront of innovation and trends. We need to understand how to attract and retain them!
How To Recruit, Onboard, Train And Retain
Gen Z And Millennial Employees.
Want to attract more Gen Z and Millennial-aged applicants to your company? Implementing the research-based insights and strategies in our Gen Z and Millennial Employee Take-Action Playbook will help you grow your business now and long-term.
- Building an employment brand that attracts applicants
- Website best practices to attract applicants
- Building a social media presence that attracts applicants
- Managing your company’s online employment ratings and reviews
- Messaging your career opportunities effectively in job postings
- Application process – Best practices for attracting Gen Z and Millennial applications
- Pre-Onboarding – Connecting with a New Hire before their first day at work
- The first 30/60/90 days – A high-level overview
- New Hire Orientation – Gen Z and Millennial employee expectations
- Using mobile technology with Gen Z and Millennial New Hires
- Connecting New Hires with team members and supervisors
- Creating and messaging a clear training pathway that appeals to Gen Z and Millennial employees
- What it takes to be a good manager – Gen Z and Millennial perspectives
- On-the-job training and connecting Gen Z and Millennials with skilled team members
- Self-directed training – How to leverage online training and increase training completion and compliance
- Management training that appeals to Gen Z and Millennial leaders
- Mentoring management trainees
- Building an employee-centric work culture that helps retain Gen Z and Millennials
- Creating a fun work environment that helps retain Gen Z and Millennial employees
- Promotion expectations of Gen Z and Millennial employees
- Performance feedback expectations of Gen Z and Millennial employees
- Recognition needs of Gen Z and Millennial employees
Videos
Safety Manager
Executive
Office Specialist
Drill Operator and Locator
Foreman
Operators
Laborer
Welder/Fuser
Natural Gas Jobs Available – Let's Get to Work
A Day in the Life of a Gas Distribution Foreman – Darren Cookus
A Day in the Life of a Gas Distribution Foreman – David Dutton
A Day in the Life of a Gas Distribution Foreman – Joe Hussar
Coffee with Jim & James – Special Guest Rob Darden
A WORKFORCE Conversation with Mike Rowe – Mike Rowe, Mike Hickey, Dale Anderson and Greg Dahl
Mike Rowe and Rob Darden - Speak on Energy Careers
Connections.For.Life - Special Guest Rob Darden
Use These Graphics!
Boost interest in your job postings. Use these graphics on your social media feed along with text about how you are hiring.
It’s All About Education.
Educating the students in your area is a great way to promote our industry and, ultimately, interest in your company as a career choice. Want to influence the future? Share these FREE resources with educators in your community!
Energy-Focused Lesson Plans
(K-8 & high school)
Energy Industry Fundamentals Course
(Includes instructor guides, student guides, and hands-on activities to bring STEM energy connections to life in the classroom)
High School Energy Career Academy
(Focuses on preparing students grades 9-12 for entering postsecondary education or moving directly to employment for a utility)
Other Curriculum Resources
(Compiled by Center For Energy Workforce Development)
Our Partners.
The resources shown here (and more) are available from our partner organizations. Utilize them! Click on each to learn more and see what they offer that can help you in your workforce development.
StrataTech Education Group
StrataTech Education Group Partners with Distribution Contractors Association to Award up to $1 Million in Combined Scholarships. StrataTech Education Group is partnering with Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) for a ‘Million Dollar Pledge to Get Americans to Work’ campaign. As part of this partnership, StrataTech will provide 100 half-off tuition scholarships to upskill skilled trade workers. Men and women who work for a DCA-affiliated company and have been sponsored for tuition assistance by their company are eligible to apply for one of the scholarships. Each scholarship awarded by StrataTech will cover half of each employee’s tuition while the remaining balance will be sponsored by each recipient’s respective employer. Scholarship recipients can then use the funds toward any program at The Refrigeration School, Inc., Tulsa Welding School, Tulsa Welding School Jacksonville or Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center, including programs in welding, HVAC & refrigeration, electrical applications, among others. Here you will find info about the program and how to apply for the scholarships.
Center for Energy Workforce Development
CEWD was formed to help utilities work together to develop solutions to the coming workforce shortage in the utility industry. They developed many of the materials on this page—but they have even more available to CEWD Members. Check out Ten Quick Ways To Get More Out Of Your CEWD Membership.
Get Into Energy
Developed by CEWD, this website builds awareness among students, teachers, military veterans, transitioning workers, and others about career opportunities available in the energy industry. A great source for energy companies seeking new hires. For example, you could target women with social posts featuring information from this page.
Helmets to Hardhats
Helmets to Hardhats is a national, nonprofit program that connects transitioning active-duty military service members, veterans, National Guard and Reservists with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry. Advertise your open positions there.
Mike Rowe Works
You know Rowe. He’s into hard work and he promotes it through the Mike Rowe Works Foundation. Here you’ll find a great place to list your open positions, info on his Work Ethic Scholarship Program, and more.
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The organization has many educational programs and competitions that promote and reward the skills needed in your future workforce.
Troops to Energy Jobs
The Troops to Energy Jobs Initiative is designed to help veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves make a successful transition to a rewarding career in the energy industry. CEWD member companies can sign up here to gain access to resumes from veterans seeking employment in your area.
Veterans in Energy
This organization provides transition, retention and professional development support to the growing population of military veterans who have chosen energy careers. Especially handy are the materials that line-up military specialization with civilian jobs in the energy industry.
Want To Learn More? Do A Deep Dive.
DCA’s Workforce Summit had a variety of helpful presentations with expert insights and practical application you can use in your workforce development. Download the presentations here:
