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When given the opportunity, David Madcharo will gladly talk about the role community colleges play in so many vital industries. The Southeast Community College Energy Generation program chair sees it first-hand within the energy industry. In October, he was given the chance to talk about this topic at the Nebraska Advanced Nuclear Conference as part of the workforce development and education panel.

“The whole thing right now is a lot of industries need skilled trade workers,” Madcharo said. “Part of the challenge in the energy industry is developing a better, long-term strategy that allows for growth and workforce development. No matter the power plan, somebody’s got to operate it and maintain it.”

Enter SCC as a partner to the energy industry in workforce development. A typical energy plant needs electricians, diesel mechanics, computer programmers, welders, machinists, and building construction – all programs offered at SCC. It is one of the reasons Madcharo sees a trades education as being the backbone for his industry.

“When I was on the panel, I went through a number of our skilled trade programs offered at SCC, particularly the ones that are important to the nuclear industry,” he said. “The fundamentals of everything the industry is looking for in skilled workers, we provide the training for already. There’s no need for us to reinvent the wheel. The reputation and quality of education you get in the trades at Milford is second to none and companies recognize that.”

Madcharo believes the next step in workforce development is through strong internship or apprenticeship programs. Giving students the opportunity to work in the industry before they graduate will not only give them real-world experience but it will also help them pay for their education.

“We’re in the process of building a formal co-op or apprenticeship like the IBEW or automotive pathways do,” Madcharo explained. “We’re trying to get it so the companies who want to hire our people break out of the mindset we only offer summer internships. That’s the type of partnership we are trying to develop.”

Madcharo’s journey to the energy field resembles the industry itself. He graduated with an electrical engineering degree doing electrical installation at airports and transitioned to working in nuclear medicine building cameras to take PET (position emission tomography) scans to produce images of the body’s organs and tissues. He eventually earned an MBA in sustainability. Because of his journey, he encourages his students to have an open mind when it comes to picking a career.

“I wouldn’t have predicted my career pathway when I was 20,” he said. “It’s no big deal if you don’t have a full 30-year plan in front of you. Lots of people make changes in their career and your life will take you on different routes. Just make sure you find something you want to do and finish your degree.”  

Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
Southeast Community College
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu