#United States #Houston #CenterPoint Energy #Energy Expressway #Houston Workforce

CenterPoint Energy's Vision for the Future

CenterPoint Energy, a prominent player in the energy sector, is taking significant steps to solidify its commitment to a resilient energy infrastructure in Houston. With a staggering investment of $53 billion planned over the next decade, the company aims to cater to the increasing energy demands of the Greater Houston area while ensuring reliability amid changing climate conditions.

On July 25, 2025, the company announced that they would accelerate their hiring processes to bring on board 200 new lineworkers by the end of this year and nearly 800 by 2030. This move not only underlines their commitment to bolstering their workforce but also highlights the pressing need for skilled labor in light of historic energy investments projected over the next ten years. The Greater Houston area is experiencing an unprecedented demand for electric workers, which is expected to rise phenomenally by nearly 50% by 2031.

The Role of Energy Expressway™

To facilitate this growth, CenterPoint Energy is launching the Energy Expressway™, a skill-based workforce development program aiming to cultivate the next generation of energy workers. This initiative will offer a combination of hands-on and online training, integrated with classroom education at their state-of-the-art Hiram O. Clarke Training Center. The primary objective is to equip participants with both the technical skills necessary for safe electric work and the customer service competencies to keep customer satisfaction at the forefront.

Beginning in October, the inaugural class for the program will consist of 35 selected applicants from various regional workforce development networks. The trainees will have the opportunity to learn and work alongside experienced journey lineworkers, creating a robust entry point into a thriving career within the energy industry.

Darin Carroll, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Electric Business, stated, "Our focus at CenterPoint is on building a grid that provides reliable and resilient service to our customers for many years to come. We recognize that in order to safeguard these investments efficiently, our workforce must grow at an accelerated rate." The investments will also underscore CenterPoint’s 2026-2028 Systemwide Resiliency Plan, aimed at enhancing the electric grid's capability to withstand extreme weather conditions, ultimately reducing power outages significantly for customers in the years to come.

Long-term Resiliency and Workforce Growth

The need for electric workers is intense, with forecasts indicating that the Greater Houston region will require over 11,000 workers in the next five years to meet the rising energy demands. This demand is a substantial driver for the company’s workforce development initiatives. CenterPoint Energy not only seeks to make robust energy investments but also to build a consistent, resilient workforce to support these efforts.

As the trajectory of electric demand rises, the company’s approach to workforce development is becoming increasingly crucial. CenterPoint aims to create stable, well-rounded employees who are integral to the implementation of a resilient grid, ensuring that Houston’s rapid growth is matched with a reliable energy infrastructure.

Conclusion

In summary, CenterPoint Energy's ambitious plans encompass far-reaching implications for the energy sector in Houston. By investing in human capital alongside physical infrastructure, the company reinforces its role as a vital resource for millions of customers while adapting to the energy demands of the future. As they embark on this journey toward achieving a more resilient energy landscape, CenterPoint is poised as a leader in workforce development and energy resilience in the face of ongoing and future challenges.