Lt. Governor Murray Joins MassCEC and NECEC To Recognize Clean Energy Interns

Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray joined the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the New England Clean Energy Council (Council) today to recognize participants in the first year of MassCEC’s Clean Energy Internship Program.
“Governor Patrick and I continue to invest in job creation across all industries and regions in the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “With this economic development agenda, we need to also think about generational responsibility, providing students today with the right tools and resources to succeed in the future.  The Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program is an effective educational and workforce training program that is helping students gain hands-on learning experience for future jobs in Massachusetts’ growing, clean energy sector.”
“The 117 students and recent graduates who participated in MassCEC’s internship placement program this summer represent the Commonwealth’s future.  By investing in their education and training, we are furthering the Patrick-Murray Administration’s clean energy agenda by ensuring a state-of-the-art workforce for this burgeoning sector of our economy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors.  
This summer, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program placed 117 students and recent graduates in paid summer internships at 70 clean energy companies across the state. This program continues MassCEC’s commitment to supporting education and training opportunities that align with the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals and industry growth, while furthering the career goals of those considering career opportunities in clean energy. The program provides stipends of up to $15 per hour or $6,000 for up to ten weeks for summer interns, and also created a database for students interested in clean energy to upload their resumes for potential employers.
Participants obtained meaningful employment, networking opportunities, mentoring from their host employers as well as firsthand experience in the clean energy industry. Participating interns represented college majors ranging from engineering and science to business, economics and management. A total of 47 percent of the participating interns spent their summer working on research and development projects that have helped advance or launch a clean energy product or initiative, while 32 percent aided in the development of new clean energy technologies or new ways to implement existing services. 
“These 117 students and recent grads are part of the Commonwealth’s most vital asset; a highly-skilled, values-driven workforce,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “This program has helped companies take advantage of that asset and enhance their talent pipleline, while training the next generation to be part of our clean energy future.” 
"The students aren't the only ones benefitting from these internships," said Peter Rothstein, president of NECEC. "The clean energy sector gains tremendously from the development of a new generation of entrepreneurs and future business leaders who can ensure that Massachusetts continues to lead in this area."
“I applaud the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and their summer internship program,” said Senator Karen Spilka, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies.  “Programs like these are not only a valuable investment in the education and training of our students, they are also a great way to expand our presence in clean energy initiatives which helps us maintain the reputation as a leader in cutting-edge industries and keeps our economy moving forward.”
State Representative John Keenan, House Chair of the Joint Committee Telecommunications Utilities and Energy said, "Massachusetts has become a leader in the nation in energy policy with its support for renewable energy, a green economy and green jobs. Just as important as meeting the Commonwealth's laudable renewable energy goals is making certain that workforce development training is taking place to fill the jobs created in this new and growing industry. I applaud the Patrick-Murray administration and the Mass Clean Energy Center for their investment in Massachusetts future." 
"With a continued focus on our strengths in the Commonwealth's high growth industries such as clean energy, initiatives such as the Clean Energy Internship program are important building blocks of the overall job creation and economic development agenda of the Commonwealth," said Representative Joseph F. Wagner, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies.