For Release: 10/16/2014

Peoples Gas Hires 100th Graduate from City Colleges Training Program Successful-Training-to-Placement Program Celebrated During "Careers in Energy Week" Chicago, IL- Peoples Gas is celebrating new careers for 17 military veterans this week, all recent graduates of the Gas Utility Workers Training Program at City Colleges of Chicago. The students earned their Gas Utility Worker Advanced Certification at Dawson Technical Institute, a satellite site of Kennedy-King College in September and completed a one-month paid internship with Peoples Gas on October 10th. The timing of the new recruits' first week on the job is aligned with Governor Pat Quinn's proclamation declaring October 13 - 19, 2014, "Careers in Energy Week," a celebration of the important role energy workers play in Illinois. The weeklong celebration is part of a nationwide effort by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) and its members to increase awareness of careers in the energy field. To date, 107 graduates have been hired by Peoples Gas since the launch in April, 2012. The program, designed by Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) - Local 18007, City Colleges of Chicago and Peoples Gas, develops skilled, on-the-job trained workers for entry to the Illinois natural gas industry. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is a funding partner of the program, which is targeted towards military veterans. Richard Passarelli, business manager for Utility Workers Union of America Local 18007 in Chicago, said, "We take great pride in creating a career path in the natural gas industry for returning veterans who have honorably served our great nation. As a result of this training program, our newest members are able to sustain their families over the long-term, while contributing to the economic life of the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois." John Kleczynski, president of Peoples Gas said, "We need a pipeline of highly skilled workers in order to modernize the natural gas infrastructure in Chicago, and we are thrilled the Gas Utility Workers Training Program at City Colleges is delivering qualified candidates who are interested in a lifelong career in our industry." The Gas Utility Workers Training Program is administered by the UWUA's Power for America Training Trust Fund, which connects workers with the highest quality training available to meet the needs of industry and the global marketplace. The program is also affiliated with the Utility Workers Military Assistance Program (UMAP). UMAP is a national training-to-placement model that will assist those who have honorably served their country in transitioning their military occupational skills into gainful career opportunities in the gas sector. As part of Careers in Energy Week, energy companies and educational institutions across Illinois are inspiring students to consider a career in the energy industry. All week long, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas employees are visiting Chicago-area high schools to give presentations focused on the growing opportunities for employment in the natural gas industry. These discussions increase the awareness of energy careers and encourage students to consider an energy career path in the future. For more information on this program visit http://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/company/stories.aspxAbout Peoples Gas Peoples Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 831,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the city of Chicago. For more information about Peoples Gas, visit the company's website: www.peoplesgasdelivery.com

About North Shore Gas North Shore Gas, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE: TEG), is a regulated natural gas delivery company that serves approximately 159,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located in 54 communities within the northern suburbs of Chicago.www .northshoregasdelivery.com

  • Jennifer Block
    Director - Media Relations
    312-465-0911


distributed by