Powering a Brighter Future

How Delmarva Power is infusing diversity into the energy workforce of tomorrow

BY KELLY ANN DECURTIS

POWERING OUR COMMUNITIES goes well beyond providing safe, reliable energy service. At Delmarva Power, we’re committed to building a workforce of tomorrow that uplifts the communities we serve, principally in under-resourced communities, and fostering a workplace focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our approach to workforce development is built on a commitment to equity in energy, and driven by strategic partnerships with local nonprofits, contractors, and suppliers to help advance economic growth, equity, and inclusion. It’s one of the many ways we’re offering more than energy in the communities we serve.

JUMPSTARTING CAREERS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

When cultivating the future energy workforce, we believe the seeds of meaningful progress can be planted most effectively among youth in underserved and under-resourced communities.

Every year, we join our parent company and sister utilities for the Exelon Foundation’s STEM Leadership Academy—a free, week-long event to ignite a passion for STEM among young, curious minds. Here, we equip eager-to-learn female high school students with the critical thinking skills needed to enter and succeed in the utility industry while promoting diversity in STEM fields, where there are often distinct underrepresentations of women and people of color.

In 2020, we launched our Path to Success Program to help Delaware high school seniors kickstart their future energy careers with one-onone career coaching, career exploration, and professional skill building opportunities. Upon successful completion of the eight-month program, students are offered a job opportunity with Delmarva Power or a trusted partnering contractor.

Delmarva Power partners with local HBCUs to increase equity in their communities. They hosted a takeover day at Delaware State University this fall where they engaged with students to promote awareness of the energy industry.

PARTNERING WITH LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Another cornerstone of our approach to increasing equity in our communities is partnering with local Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other major educational institutions across Delaware and Maryland. To champion economic diversity and help communities in need, Delmarva Power and its sister companies have committed to provide $7 million over the next three years in support of scholarships, research, and academic programs at Delaware State University and three other HBCUs. We prioritize hiring college interns and HBCU graduates in proportion to other universities in our service territory, and we recently honored employee HBCU alumni during HBCU Week celebrations in September.

Through our Community Scholars Program, we provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher education and vocational training at Delaware Technical Community College. These investments support our communities and local economies all while ensuring we have a diverse and skilled pipeline of local talent at the ready to support our customers’ evolving energy needs.

Employee Resource Groups allow Delmarva Power an opportunity to connect their diverse community and promote personal and professional growth. A recent “Books and Bagels” book club meeting delved into “I’m Not Yelling” by Elizabeth Leiba.

PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

In order to truly radiate equity in our community, we must first foster a culture within our own workplace that embraces individuals of all backgrounds.

The establishment of nine unique Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) continues our mission to embrace the perspectives of historically marginalized populations and capture the voices of our diverse employee population, helping others understand just how important it is for everyone to be heard. Our ERGs provide employees with a safe outlet to share experiences, receive support from colleagues, and move us all forward in ensuring a diverse and inclusive culture.

These groups are a critical enabler of our company’s DEI strategy, empowering our employees to showcase their passion and pride, their readiness to stand together, and their desire to create change.

I look at these initiatives as distinct yet very interconnected components of a larger puzzle. Each plays a unique role, and collectively, they contribute significantly to make an invaluable impact on our community—today and for years to follow.

With focused efforts on advancing DEI within our company and workforce, we celebrate the significant strides we’ve made, and we remain focused on accomplishing the work that still needs to be done.

Kelly Ann DeCurtis is director of talent management at Delmarva Power.