Thanks to the Xcel Energy PowerUp program, Nicole is now working at the Xcel Energy Sherco site in Becker, transforming what was the largest coal-fired power plant in Minnesota into what will be the largest solar facility in the Midwest. It's demanding and exciting work that helps her close with each workday with a sense of accomplishment.

"I'm proud to put on my work boots every day, take on a new set of challenges and help build America,” said Nicole. "The PowerUp Program was a good experience. It helped me embark on a new career."

Here's how Nicole's Xcel Energy PowerUp journey started. Nicole had completed college and had a career in public service but was feeling restless and uninspired and wanted something more diverse and physical. She thought a career in construction might provide this, so she started looking for apprenticeship opportunities in construction. While browsing Minnesota apprenticeship information she came across the Xcel Energy PowerUp Program on the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) website.

The Xcel Energy PowerUp Program is a public-private partnership with DEED that prepares workers for in-demand career path employment in fields related to energy and construction trades. Through the PowerUp Program, Xcel Energy and DEED worked with seven community-based organizations to train and provide job placement for Minnesotans who are underrepresented in energy- and construction trades-related fields.

Nicole reached out about the program and was connected with Gerri McGimpsey, from Leading CareerForce Partner Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services (CMJTS) and was enrolled in Part One of the Xcel PowerUp Program at CMJTS. Nicole says CMJTS assisted her in getting her "ducks in a row" to change career paths, which was very helpful given the significant career change she was making.

"I knew I wanted to get into union construction. I had to learn more about each of the trades before jumping in and the CMJTS program helped me to ease in,” explained Nicole. “They offered assessments, OSHA 10 certification, career counseling, wage information and other resources, and also had guests discuss their career as skilled tradespeople in union construction.”

With a better idea of what kinds of career paths were available in construction and which ones might be a good fit for her, Nicole started Part Two of the Xcel PowerUp Program at Building Strong Communities, a multi-trade apprenticeship preparatory program that prepares people for a career in the construction industry. This program offers individuals the opportunity to receive union-endorsed training, hands-on experience and a “foot in the door” to a career in the trades.

"Building Strong Communities offered information about union construction opportunities, what life is like as an apprentice, an emotional intelligence course, hands-on trades experiences at respective training centers, lots of information and advice and other resources to be successful," said Nicole. "I appreciated the resources provided by Building Strong Communities and the opportunity to meet union representatives to learn more about their skilled trade. I became interested and applied for the ironworker apprenticeship following the trades experience at the Ironworkers Local #512 training center.”

Nicole graduated from the Xcel PowerUp Program in May 2024 and started working as an Ironworkers Local #512 union apprentice in August 2024. Thanks to the Xcel PowerUp Program, BSC, her union apprenticeship and her dedication and hard work, Nicole went from working a sedentary office job to a physically demanding and very rewarding union construction apprenticeship. With boots on the ground training, Nicole is now working in a well-paying career that is a great fit for her. Prior to starting on the project at Sherco, Nicole worked for Amerect, Inc. at the Meta data center project in Rosemount. 

• Learn more about the Xcel Energy Sherco plant transition to clean energy
• Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you for help finding training opportunities that might be a good fit for you