Clean Energy Careers Academy

The Clean Energy Careers Academy (CECA) is a career development program designed to help students explore, prepare for, and pursue opportunities in the energy and utilities industry.

Through CECA, students connect with National Grid professionals, mentors, and partner institutions to gain industry exposure, strengthen their professional skills, and better understand the wide range of career pathways available in clean energy. The program is built to support students as they grow academically, professionally, and personally while preparing for future internships, early career opportunities, and long-term success.

CECA partners with a growing number of academic institutions like:

• UMass Boston
• UMass Lowell
• Quinsigamond Community College
• Northeastern University
• Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology etc.

CECA also collaborates with community workforce partners, including Transform Power Systems (TPS), to expand access and create meaningful career-connected learning opportunities.

Eligible participating students may benefit from financial scholarship support of up to $10,000 based on demonstrated financial need. Scholarship awards are administered directly by each partner school or institution.

What Students Gain

1. Career Pathway Exposure Students are introduced to a variety of roles and career pathways across the energy and utilities sector, helping them better understand how their interests, skills, and education can connect to real opportunities in the field.
2. Mentorship and Networking Students build meaningful relationships with National Grid mentors and business professionals who provide guidance, encouragement, and insight throughout their academic and career journey.
3. Hands-On Learning and Professional Development Students gain practical exposure to the industry through experiences that build confidence, workplace readiness, and professional skills.
4. Scholarship Support Eligible students may receive scholarship support through their institution to help reduce financial barriers and support persistence in their education.
5. Career Opportunities Students are encouraged to explore internships, entry-level opportunities, and other career pathways that can serve as meaningful points of entry into the clean energy workforce.
6. Program Details CECA is offered during the Fall semester and provides students with a structured, engaging experience that combines career exploration, professional development, mentorship, and experiential learning.

Curriculum Program Overview

1. Interactive Conversations and Grid Talks Students engage with National Grid professionals through presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions focused on the evolving energy landscape, emerging clean energy trends, and career opportunities across the industry.
2. Experiential Learning and Mentorship Students gain practical exposure through site visits, project-based learning, job shadowing, resume workshops, mock interviews, and one-on-one engagement with experienced National Grid mentors.
3. Volunteering and Community Engagement Students participate in community-centered experiences that connect clean energy, service, and impact in the communities we serve.
4. Healthy Debates Facilitated discussions and structured debates help students strengthen critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills while exploring current industry issues and challenges.
5. Continuous Improvement Students are introduced to foundational concepts in continuous improvement, including problem solving, process improvement, and lean and agile ways of thinking.

How to Join

1. Notification: Students learn about CECA through school representatives, program liaisons, or partner organizations.
2. Registration: Interested students complete the program interest form using the registration link or QR code shared by their school or program contact.
3. Selection: Selected students receive an invitation to participate in the program
4. Orientation: Students attend an orientation session to receive a detailed overview of the program and what to expect.
5. Program Start: Students begin their CECA experience in the Fall semester.

Our Partners

Become a Partner

For information on how you can become a strategic partner, please email the Clean Energy Careers Academy Program Manager.