According to a recent poll conducted by the Lignite Energy Council with high school juniors and seniors, the most credible source of information of teenagers is their parents. Nearly 60 percent of the respondents said their parents are the ones they are most likely to trust. The second most credible group was friends at 27 percent. Teachers and clergy garnered only 2 percent and 1 percent respectively.
Because of the strength of this parental relationship, the Lignite Energy Council is going to see if we can “prime the pump” by providing monthly messages to our member companies that we hope are shared with employees who will discuss these messages with their family and friends.
“We need to do a better job communicating about our industry,” said Jason Bohrer, president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council. “Perhaps parents just need to be reminded of their role in educating their children, especially in high school, because their children are often involved in many athletic and extra-curricular activities. But parents can still be a positive influence.”
Bohrer said that the messages will simply be entitled “Table Topics” because it is hoped they will generate chatter at the dinner table.
An example of a monthly message might focus on ways that communities in coal country are better because of the lignite industry. While jobs are obvious, there are many other examples including a new day care facility in Hazen, our tax dollars that go to support schools and other services. The golf course in Underwood and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn are other examples.
“We’d love it as parents if our children asked more questions about our jobs or our industry, but for most children, they simply take their parents jobs for granted,” Bohrer added. “So, we are trying a one-year experiment. We’ll provide the talking points and we hope the parents can share them with our next generation.”
Bohrer said there are multiple reasons behind the effort including:
- Making young people aware of job opportunities locally, including the mines and plants;
- Helping them decide if what they see and hear at college or in the media squares with what they saw and heard from their parents who work in the industry;
- Broadening the student’s educational possibilities regarding career opportunities when they head off to college, the military or seeking employment;
- Strengthening employees of LEC members to be better ambassadors to their friends and neighbors along with their family members.
“This idea was brought up at the October board meeting and we are working now on a schedule of topics,” he said. “We will appreciate feedback from our members if they think this activity is working or how it can be improved.”