![Pictured from left are Pace Rotary President-elect Diane Masaitis and guest speaker Kristie Kelley, workforce development coordinator with Gulf Power. [Special to the Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-477e8332-478e-4426-e053-0100007f15d6-6ac20bc1.jpeg)
PACE — The Pace Rotary Club recently welcomed guest speaker Kristie Kelley, workforce development coordinator for Gulf Power.
Kelley shared her role in finding and developing talent solutions for the energy field.
“Energy providers throughout the country are bracing for wide-scale retirements over the next 10 years that will result in a loss of 54 percent of their workforce,” a news release stated. “A proactive approach is necessary if companies are to hire qualified, skilled workers at a rate equal to that of retirement. Gulf Power is preparing for this by supporting education and creating awareness of sustainable, local careers in both science and manufacturing.
“Beginning in elementary school, mentors from Gulf Power introduce students to the idea of energy. Students are further engaged in the field through the STEAM initiative that provides them with focus in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This statewide educational tool is designed to create potential scientists who are ready for high-paying careers in technical, science-related fields.
“In addition, select high schools, including Milton High, are being transformed into career academies that focus on attaining post-secondary certifications as an alternative to a college degree.
“By encouraging and developing such strong partnerships between employers and education, we ensure a future that is financially secure for our workforce and economically feasible for industrial growth in the state of Florida.”
Pace Rotary meets 7 a.m. Thursdays at Stonebrook Golf Club, 3200 Cobblestone Drive, Pace.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Gulf Power, facing wide-scale retirements, focuses on rebuilding workforce