MassCEC Launches Program to Provide Clean Energy Training to High School Students

MassCEC Launches Program to Provide Clean Energy Training to High School Students

Learn and Earn will help foster Massachusetts’ clean energy workforce by giving high school students on-the-job training in clean energy careers

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton today announced MassCEC is seeking proposals for the Learn and Earn pilot program, which will prepare Massachusetts high-school students for higher learning opportunities and careers in clean energy and other science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

“Learn and Earn will put these students on the fast-track to the clean energy careers of tomorrow, while training them in how to tackle the energy challenges of today,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan, who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors.

“This is an exciting opportunity to provide summer and afterschool jobs for students, while training the generation of workers who will take the already-booming clean energy sector to new heights,” said Barton.

Learn and Earn will award up to four grants of up to $125,000 each to Massachusetts high schools, vocational schools and colleges who successfully build a curriculum that includes classroom education, visits to local clean energy companies and a final group project.

Competitive applications may also include plans to assist students in preparing Advance Placement tests or ways for students to earn college credit.

A full copy of the request for proposals can be found on the program’s website, and applications are due April 28, 2014.

According to MassCEC’s 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, there are nearly 80,000 clean energy workers and 5,550 clean energy companies operating in the Commonwealth.