Energy Careers
The U.S. energy sector employed approximately 8.4 million people in 2025, offering a wide range of careers in energy production, electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy efficiency, and vehicle technologies.
NEED’s Energy Career and Workforce Development Guides
All NEED curriculum is available for free PDF download or viewable as an e-publication on the NEED shop.
Energy Careers Excursion (Elementary/Intermediate/Secondary)
This sampler is back again with some new activities that aim to expose students to the many specialized career options and job opportunities in the energy industry, and how even the most general career paths can be involved in bringing energy and electricity to the world around us.
Energy Career Enigma (Intermediate/Secondary)
Students put on their detective hats and research clues to uncover career facts. This cooperative learning activity accesses language arts and critical thinking skills as students attempt to guess the opposing teams’ careers while concealing their own careers. Teacher instructions and instructional masters are included for a small set of careers. Download the digital Excel file for game play and customizing the careers featured in the activity.
My Future Energy Career (Primary)
Move beyond traditional community helpers and introduce students to a variety of careers that may be found in the energy industry. While learning about each career, students will practice specific job-related skills, practice soft skills needed to succeed in the workforce, as well as build and practice literacy skills.
Solar Careers Pathways (12th grade and beyond)
An introduction to career paths directly in or related to solar PV installation. It has been designed to be ten, four-hour sessions for high school seniors or recent graduates, but can be adapted to meet any combination of days to yield a total of 40 hours of training. Note there is an Instructor Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both.
Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics (Secondary)
This curriculum unit has been developed in partnership with the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund and the Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative. It is designed to provide high school seniors with a one-semester introduction to photovoltaics, from the science of their functioning through the basics of installation. Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both.
Your Future in Wind Energy (Grades 9-12, Career and Technology Education)
This unit, created for use in Career and Technology Education programs and classrooms, contains hands-on activities to explore wind energy and career opportunities within the industry. Students will get a closer look at the tools, skills, and concepts necessary to prepare for a job in the growing wind industry. Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both.
Your Future in Energy Efficiency and Conservation (Grades 9-12, Career and Technology Education)
Created in partnership with Mass Save Program Administrators, this unit is designed to help high school students in Career and Technology programs explore the “nuts and bolts” of energy use and energy systems in buildings. Content and activities will help students hone job-readiness skills and prepare for careers in the energy industry. Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both.
Your Future in Hydropower (Grades 9-12, Career and Technology Education)
This unit, created for use in Career and Technology Education programs and classrooms, contains hands-on activities to explore careers and opportunities within the hydropower industry. Students will get a comprehensive view of the tools, skills, and concepts necessary to prepare for a job in hydropower. Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both.
Your Future in Marine Hydrokinetics (Grades 9-12, Career and Technology Education)
Career and Technology Education activities that provide hands on experience with electricity, magnetism, and generating electricity from marine environments. Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both.
Exploring Hydroelectricity (Secondary)
Integrated and inquiry-based activities provide secondary students with a comprehensive study of the scientific, economic, environmental, technological, and societal aspects of hydropower. Note there is a Teacher Guide and a Student Guide. Be sure to download both. Optional Supplementary: Hydropower Careers Guess Who? Slide Deck
Exploring Oil and Natural Gas (Secondary)
“Careers in the Natural Gas Industry” and “Oil and Natural Gas Career Game” on pages 103-106 of this guide.
Energy Career Videos
View more on NEED’s YouTube Channel