In just one year, National Grid has helped add nearly 70 new full-time employees and exposed nearly 1,000 potential employees to career opportunities in the energy and utility industry through its Strategic Workforce Initiative.
First piloted in March 2023, the program works with multiple partners to provide career exposure, development and employment opportunities to individuals from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities through four academies:
The Energy Infrastructure Academy teaches work-ready adults the technical and soft skills needed for entry- to mid-level roles within National Grid’s workforce.
The Clean Energy Careers Academy connects college students from area schools with National Grid mentors to learn about the energy and utilities field.
The Clean Energy Tech Academy enables high school students to learn about careers in the industry.
The Clean Energy STEM Academy introduces middle school students to the energy industry through hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.
As of March 2024, the initiative has engaged with nearly 1,000 trainees and students from across Massachusetts. Nearly 200 college students were mentored, more than 300 high school students learned about careers in the energy and utility industry, and nearly 275 middle school students were introduced to important STEM concepts. In addition, $300,000 in scholarships was awarded to students attending the Clean Energy Careers Academy.
“We are committed to strengthening the clean energy workforce by providing resources and opportunities in the energy and utility industry to communities across the commonwealth,” said Amanda Downey, vice president of strategic development and partnerships at National Grid, New England. “As impacts from the first year of National Grid’s initiative are realized, we look forward to continuing to build a substantial pipeline of diverse talent, with a thriving labor force throughout Massachusetts.”
She further said that the program aligns well with the state’s goals of building a future workforce equipped with “familysustaining careers that grow local economies.”
In the program’s second year, National Grid plans to expand each of the four academies. In addition, the company reports committing another $300,000 toward the Clean Energy Scholars program, which will provide scholarships to students from the three institutions in the Clean Energy Careers Academy.