WALTHAM, MA – National Grid today celebrated the graduation of 13 students from the Energy Infrastructure Academy.

The academy is part of National Grid’s wide-ranging workforce development program, which was developed with the goal of attracting new and diverse employees into the energy industry. 

Students in the Energy Infrastructure Academy recently completed a 200-hour intensive program, where they were taught a variety of skills as they were 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.

Of today’s 13 graduates of the program, eight have already been offered positions within National Grid or with company vendors, and more are currently undergoing the hiring process. Recently placed employees will be working in Gas Meter Services in Boston and in National Grid’s Customer Contact Center.

The Energy Infrastructure Academy was launched in March to prepare work-ready adults for entry-level to mid-level roles within National Grid’s unionized workforce. National Grid 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. The program gives participants hands-on job experience with National Grid employees and allows for networking, mentorship, and more in preparation for full-time union role opportunities.

“We’re proud of our students for completing the Energy Infrastructure Academy studies as part of National Grid’s comprehensive workforce development program,” said Amanda Downey, Vice President, Strategy Development and Partnerships at National Grid. “We’re also appreciative of our National Grid employees who have guided them through the program. We wish our graduates the best in their future endeavors in the clean energy sector. I’m thrilled to welcome many of them as colleagues.”

The workforce development program features four academies, including the Energy Infrastructure Academy for work-ready adults, the Clean Energy Careers Academy for college students, the Clean Energy Tech Academy for students in traditional and vocational-technical high schools, and the Clean Energy STEM Academy for middle school students.

“National Grid is committed to delivering a safe, clean, fair, and affordable energy future, and having a diverse, inclusive workforce is a vital part of that vision,” said Stephen Woerner, President of National Grid, New England. “We’re excited to welcome new employees who have participated in our Energy Infrastructure Academy and look forward to bringing aboard more. We are striving to serve our customers and provide career pathways for people in our communities. The Energy Infrastructure Academy is doing just that.”

The Workforce Development strategy aims to build a sustainable, systematic pipeline of diverse talent to lead the energy transition and enable that workforce to develop and operate a net-zero system. The four-pronged workforce development program reaches out to a variety of audiences.

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