DEED and Xcel Energy Announce Power Up Program Providers

Xcel Energy and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced the grantees that will implement the Xcel Energy Power Up program. These grantees will deliver outreach, supportive services, apprenticeship readiness training and facilitate job placement for a variety of energy-related construction occupations. Xcel Energy is investing $4 million in the Xcel Energy Power Up initiative, $3.6 million of which will go toward grants to provide energy-related construction training and apprenticeship or employment placement through June 2025.

The Power Up program goal is to educate and place 150 training program participants into union apprenticeship or energy-related construction jobs. Program graduates will have the opportunity for job placement with contractors working on Xcel Energy's Sherco Solar project in Becker, Minnesota, however multiple career pathways will be available. An overarching priority for both DEED and Xcel Energy is to increase the diversity of the energy-related and trades workforce through focused outreach to people of color, women and veterans.

"As we pursue our vision of 100% carbon-free electricity, we will depend on construction workers who have the skills and training needed to build cutting-edge clean energy resources into the grid," said Chris Clark, President, Xcel Energy – Minnesota. "This unique public-private partnership between Xcel Energy and DEED will help grow and diversify the clean energy workforce in our state so we can accelerate the clean energy transition."

"Clean energy jobs are some of the strongest employment opportunities Minnesotans can pursue, so we're excited about this program," said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. "We're honored to partner with Xcel Energy and these training partners – it's a win for Minnesota workers and a win for clean energy and the environment."

A list of providers receiving Xcel Energy Power Up program grants is below. A total of $3.6 million will be distributed for training, support services, job placement and other elements of the Xcel Energy Power Up program. Individual grant amounts are to be determined.

- Avivo, Minneapolis

- Building Strong Communities, Saint Paul

- Career Solutions, Saint Cloud

- Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Monticello

- EMERGE, Minneapolis

- Native Sun Community Power Development, Minneapolis

- Summit Academy OIC, Minneapolis