National Grid today announced the first distribution of its Clean Energy Scholars Fund, awarding a total of $300,000 in scholarships to 94 students attending Franklin Cummings Tech, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMass Boston). The Clean Energy Scholars program is part of the company’s commitment to growing the Commonwealth’s clean energy workforce and increasing accessibility to jobs in the field.

As part of this commitment, National Grid provides $100,000 to each of the three schools — Franklin Cummings Tech, Northeastern University, and UMass Boston. The awards are directed to qualifying students pursuing engineering or craft and trades-related degrees and participating in National Grid’s Clean Energy Careers Academy. 

The Scholars program is part of a larger Strategic Workforce Development initiative at National Grid. The initiative leverages strategic partnerships with higher and secondary education institutions to support students from historically underrepresented communities and close critical opportunity and employment gaps.

“It’s no secret that the clean energy workforce lacks diversity,” said Amanda Downey, Vice President of Strategy Development and Partnerships at National Grid. “These programs are designed to break down historic barriers to entry and increase accessibility to clean energy careers – and are essential as we navigate through this clean energy transition in a just and equitable manner. At National Grid, we believe our future workforce should represent the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing these partnerships with our esteemed institutional partners to enable the accessibility of clean energy careers.”

“Connecting our HVAC&R Technology, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Computer Information Technology students with professional mentors from National Grid will help the students gain valuable knowledge about their chosen fields and build workforce development skills,” said Jackie Cornog, Dean of Students at Franklin Cummings Institute. “This kind of partnership ties directly to our mission at Franklin Cummings Tech, which is to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement.” 

“This partnership is beneficial on many fronts. It helps National Grid build a workforce more reflective of the communities it serves; it provides Northeastern students access to new career and educational opportunities; and it adds to the university’s extensive collection of programs supporting students from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. If all that weren’t enough, it helps enable the future of clean energy. We’re proud to be a part of it.”

Dr. Gregory D. Abowd, Dean of the College of Engineering at Northeastern University

“We are delighted to continue this second year of partnership with National Grid,” said Joseph Berger, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UMass Boston. “We’ve already seen the impact the program has had over the past year, and we look forward to continued growth and opportunities for our students.”

The 2024 Clean Energy Scholars include 51 students from Northeastern, 30 from Franklin Cummings, and 13 from UMass Boston. Award recipients participating in National Grid’s Clean Energy Careers Academy program in which National Grid mentors and others engage students about the energy and utilities field, provide professional development opportunities, scholarly roundtable discussions, and create connections that can lead to future internships, co-ops, and full-time employment within National Grid. Students received varying award amounts. The awarded students major in a variety of science and engineering areas and are exploring engineering and energy careers. 

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About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

National Grid’s Workforce Development initiative introduces trainees to careers in the energy industry through interactive, hands-on sessions and professional development opportunities that foster the creation of connections for future employment and trains participants in high-demand, high-value industry skills. The program features four distinct academies to facilitate these opportunities:

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Energy Infrastructure Academy

The Energy Infrastructure Academy prepares work-ready adults for entry-level to mid-level roles within National Grid’s unionized workforce. National Grid has partnered with Franklin Cummings Tech, Training Resources of America, Inc., Community Work Services, and STRIVE Boston to provide professional training for people interested in working in the energy industry. This academy, which launched in March 2023, holds classes in Boston and Worcester and provides nearly 200 hours of instruction to develop a combination of technical skills, soft skills, three weeks of hands-on job experience with National Grid employees, networking, mentorship, and more in preparation for full-time union role opportunities with earn-while-you-learn on-the-job training.

Participants learn about and are trained in National Grid’s electric and gas operations and project planning and construction. Participants who successfully complete the academy are encouraged to apply for full-time positions within the Company.

Clean Energy Careers Academy

College students at Northeastern, Franklin Cummings Tech, and UMass-Boston participate in this academy in which National Grid mentors and others engage students about the energy and utilities field, provide professional development opportunities, and create connections that can lead to future internships, co-ops, and full-time employment within National Grid.

Also, as part of this long-term partnership, the Company announced a $300,000 Clean Energy Scholars Scholarship to support and encourage more students from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities to pursue and persist in obtaining Engineering and Craft and Trades-related degrees. Each partner is receiving $100,000 in the first year of the partnership, with scholarship funds to continue for the duration of the partnership. Students can apply for the scholarship through their respective institutions.

Clean Energy Tech Academy

For students in high school and vocational technical schools, this academy enables students to explore energy field careers and topics and learn about career industry opportunities. The Tech Academy is being conducted at the Boston Green Academy, Dearborn STEM Academy, and Madison Park Vocational Technical High School, all of which are in Boston, and the Worcester Vocational Technical High School in Worcester. Students who successfully complete the academy will receive a certificate from the Clean Energy Tech Academy and career pathway experiences from mentors at National Grid.

Clean Energy STEM Academy

National Grid mentors will introduce middle-school-age students to the energy industry and provide hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and its benefits.

Boston Green Academy, Dearborn STEM Academy, and New Mission High School in Boston, and Learning First Charter Public School in Worcester are program partners. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate from the Clean Energy STEM Academy.

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The above press release was submitted to us by National Grid.