WALTHAM, MA – In its first year, National Grid’s Strategic Workforce Development Initiative, designed to upskill work-ready adults and build the clean energy workforce of tomorrow, has led to almost 70 new full-time hires and has had a positive impact on nearly 1,000 work-ready adults, college, high school, and middle school students across Massachusetts.

First piloted in March 2023, National Grid’s initiative provides individuals from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities career exposure, development, and employment opportunities through four academies: Energy Infrastructure Academy (work-ready adults), Clean Energy Careers Academy (college/university), Clean Energy Tech Academy (high school), and Clean Energy STEM Academy (middle school).

Through this robust programming, National Grid has:

• Worked with nearly 1,000 trainees and students from across the state.
• Graduated 80+ Energy Infrastructure Academy trainees and hired nearly 70 into full-time, unionized roles at National Grid or with National Grid business partners.
• Educated and provided mentorship to nearly 200 college students from Franklin Cummings Tech, Northeastern University, and University of Massachusetts-Boston through its Clean Energy Careers Academy and awarded $300,000 in scholarships to 94 of their students ($100K per institution).
• Engaged 300+ high school students from Boston Green Academy, Dearborn STEM Academy, Madison Park Vocational Technical High School, New Mission High School, and Worcester Vocational Technical High School as part of its Clean Energy Tech Academy.
• Introduced nearly 275 middle school students from Boston Green Academy, Dearborn STEM Academy, and Learning First Charter School to vital science, math and technology concepts and clean energy concepts as part of its Clean Energy STEM Academy.

In March 2024, nearly 90 students graduated from the Energy Infrastructure Academy and 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 Strategy 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 sustainable pipeline of diverse talent, with a thriving labor force throughout Massachusetts. This aligns well with the state’s goals to build a future workforce equipped with family-sustaining careers that grow local economies.”

“National Grid is a dedicated partner of Franklin Cummings Tech, and together we are creating pathways to economic opportunity and fulfilling careers through the Clean Energy Careers Academy,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, President & CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech. “Learning the latest applications of clean energy technology through this program prepares our graduates to secure sought-after skilled jobs and become part of the diverse workforce our economy needs to remain strong.”

In the second year of the Strategic Workforce Development Initiative, National Grid will expand each of the four academies.  In addition, the Company has committed another $300,000 toward the Clean Energy Scholars program, which will provide scholarship funding to students at Franklin Cummings Tech, Northeastern University, and University of Massachusetts-Boston.

The Workforce Development academies target people across a broad spectrum:

• The Energy Infrastructure Academy prepares work-ready adults for entry- to mid-level roles within National Grid’s workforce. Students develop technical and soft skills and gain three weeks of hands-on job experience with National Grid employees.

• The Clean Energy Careers Academy involves college students at Northeastern University, Franklin Cummings Tech, and University of Massachusetts, Boston who engage with National Grid mentors to learn about the energy and utilities field.

• The Clean Energy Tech Academy enables high school students to explore energy field careers and topics and learn about career industry opportunities.

• The Clean Energy STEM Academy introduces middle school students to the energy industry and provides hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

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.