Attracting Talent

The success of our mission and the strength of our organization rely on our employees and their broad range of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

To provide a dynamic workplace full of opportunities for all, our approach to acquiring talent includes leveraging our internal DE&I Council and Business Resource Groups, as well as broadening our direct reach through partnerships with community-based organizations, external strategic partners and academic institutions at the middle, high school, and two- and four-year college levels.

We encourage all employees to participate in both internal and external activities that support the business, and many represent us at career fairs to share their perspectives on engineering and technical careers.

Strategic partnerships

An inclusive and diverse approach to attracting talent begins with building key business relationships in the communities we serve. In 2023, we strengthened our workforce pipelines and accelerated the addition of new partners focused on developing and placing underrepresented talent in careers across New England.

Some of our key partners who have a proven impact on advancing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and the skilled trades:

• Women in the Enterprise of Science and Technology: Inspires, supports, and champions women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by offering comprehensive workshops, panels, and learning sessions on career advancement, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets.
• Hack Diversity: Breaks down barriers for Black and Latine/x professionals by building access for the next generation in tech.
• ReadyCT: Advances academic excellence and career-connected learning for all public school students in Connecticut through collaboration with business, civic and educational leaders.

Additional dynamic programs and partnerships supporting talent acquisition include:

• Partnering with New Hampshire’s Manchester Community College, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 104 and 1837, and the National Electrical Contractors Association to offer a certificate program that upskills diverse candidates and prepares graduates for lineworker apprenticeships.
  
• New England Women in Energy and the Environment supports women working in energy and environmental fields, providing education, development, networking and mentoring opportunities.
• The Partnership and Conexion focuses on hiring, retaining and developing female, racially and ethnically diverse talent. Working with these external partners in all sectors helps build racially and ethnically diverse pipelines.
• Providing underserved youth, veterans, under-employed adults and others from our diverse communities with an opportunity to qualify for well-paid craft positions, through certification and degreed programs at local community colleges.
• Partnering with two- and four-year colleges and universities to offer intern and co-op programs, with the goal of hiring students into full-time positions upon graduation. 
• Working with non-profit organizations to provide apprenticeships with the goal of hiring candidates from underrepresented groups into early-career IT positions.