Abilene expects an increase in new jobs

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – In this week’s episode of Big Country Politics, Project Executive Paul Gottfried joins the show as he explains how Rosendin Electric will bring 700 new jobs to the Key City.

Rosendin Electric is an electric company headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices nationwide. Today, on Big Country Politics, Project Executive Gottfried explains how multiple jobs will come to Abilene.

Gottfried says it’ll be substantial for the Abilene area as Rosendin Electric plans to hire more electricians. In 2005, Gottfried graduated from Purdue with a degree in Construction Management. Following graduation, Gottfried joined Rosendin Electric and has been with them for 19 and a half years.

Gottfried started working at the windfarms, which brought him to Abilene, where he’s been one year after Rosendin’s project.

“We currently are in Abilene working, we’ve been in and out of the area, and we have a solar project in Putnam that’s been going on since the end of the year,” Gottfried said.

Gottfried then adds that they haven’t been dedicated in Abilene over the last 19 years since the Callahan Divide and that Rosendin Energy has been in and out with different renewable projects.

On the topic of trade schools and electricians, Rosendin Energy’s Project Executive Gottfried mentions that Rosendin Energy has seen a huge demand in the construction industry, data centers, manufacturing, and renewables, just a huge influx of work, especially in the state of Texas. Seeing a lot of work coming this way, there is a demand, and we’re trying to put together a big marketing campaign to attract electricians across the state.

Gottfried said the 700 jobs being added are not just in Abilene; he also said they’re looking at other cities in Texas, such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Temple, and Austin.

Rosendin Energy’s Project Executive stresses that they are looking at the whole state for possible employment. Gottfried then talks about the employment opportunities as an electrician: “It’s a good place to be right now. It’s a good opportunity, especially if you have a Journeyman Electrician license . You can make some good money.”

Gottfried mentions that data centers, solar, wind, and high-tech manufacturing are their largest markets as the show moves on to renewable and non-renewable energy.

“It’s just important to have the skill of electricians; projects are getting bigger and bigger, faster and faster, so to get the right people on board to build the project is a necessity,” Gottfried said.

Rosendin Energy has been in the state of Texas for the last 11 years, working in the DFW area; it also has offices in Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

Gottfried said, “We are headquartered in California but have a big presence in Texas.”

Gottfried voiced Rosendin Energy was brought to Abilene in the wind farm project at Coronado’s Camp as Callahan Divide was the first project in the state, followed by Horse Hollow Wind Farm at Wingate, Capricorn Ridge at Sterling, and Sweetwater Wind Farm.

Rosendin Energy is looking for 700 electricians whose mission statement is to build quality, value, and people.

Gottfried says, “We’re looking to higher electricians in Abilene, with good paying jobs, and help them build careers.” He added, “Doesn’t have to stop to be an electrician in the field, but it’s not everybody’s desire; some people want to grow from there.”

Moving on to digital and renewable energy infrastructure, Gottfried says that Abilene is a great location because there’s a lot of renewable energy available in terms of wind and solar power, as the power demands in wind and solar are pretty high. He added that fiber infrastructure is in place, and there’s also land in the Key City.

Rosendin Energy prioritizes land and acknowledges more land in Abilene than in other populated cities in Texas.

In job stability, Gottfried explains how Rosendin Energy is seeing significant growth in the next seven to 10 years. The project is expected to keep the energy company in Abilene for the long run.

When asked how the rest of the country at Rosendin Energy sees the area of Abilene, Gottfried also mentioned that individuals are working on the project, and many have a good perception of Abilene and like it. They’re putting a lot of money back into the community.

On why there are 700 jobs, Gottfried says that Rosendin Energy is adding so many jobs because of the speed of the schedule and being able to hit those deadlines. He also said, “That’s what drives the headcount up. The shorter the schedule, the more the work; you just keep driving it up.” He also added, “If you push it out six months or a year further, that headcount would come down.”

According to Gottfried, Rosendin Energy is hiring electricians as the project moves forward. Rosendin Energy has an office off of I-20.

Gottfried says those interested in working for Rosendin Energy can visit the Rosendin Texas Jobs Website . The energy company is looking for interested electricians, and they contact the local 681 in Wichita Falls, Texas, in the electrical union. He also added that these jobs offer good benefits and pay.

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