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“Our Vocational-Technical Schools have a long history of helping our students develop workforce skills in a variety of careers. With the strong emphasis that is being placed on protecting our environment and conserving energy, our new Green Energy Academy will put our students on a career track for this growing and dynamic new energy industry,” DiVincenzo said. “PSEG recognizes what a great resource the talent and ambition of our students are. This partnership will provide the groundwork and training for our next generation of green sector professionals,” he added.

“Making sure the workforce can meet the business needs of the future is one of the greatest challenges we face,” said Ralph LaRossa, President and Chief Operating Officer of PSE&G. “We not only need to replace a generation of retiring employees, we also need to prepare workers for the green collar jobs of tomorrow. Programs like this one here at Bloomfield Tech will help,” he added.

“Governor Jon S. Corzine recently released New Jersey’s first Energy Master Plan in 15 years laying out a roadmap for investing in our state’s energy infrastructure. It will help achieve energy independence, reduce carbon emissions and develop a robust energy industry that will produce as many as 20,000 jobs between now and 2020,” said New Jersey Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow.  “Governor Corzine recognizes that new approaches to energy also provide new pathways to economic prosperity. The creation of educational programs like this one, focusing on green energy jobs, fits perfectly with New Jersey’s commitment to developing a world-class workforce prepared for emerging job opportunities,” he added.

“We are grateful to County Executive DiVincenzo and PSE&G for supporting this innovative educational program,” Essex County Vocational Technical Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Pennella said. “The hands on activities and real world experience give our students an invaluable opportunity and advantage in the ever-changing and competitive job market,” he added. 

“To know that Essex County Bloomfield Tech is the first school in the State to partner with PSEG is something special,” Freeholder Carol Clark said. “This is a dynamic partnership that will ensure you have opportunities to be a part of this growing energy,” she added.

The newly formed Green Energy Academy is part of the Essex County Vocational Technical School’s focus to prepare students for a variety of careers, including emerging technologies. Interested students will be invited to enroll in the three-year program beginning in their sophomore year. In addition to receiving a regular liberal arts education, the students will concentrate their studies in mathematics, social sciences, engineering, physical sciences and sustainability. The course will introduce students to how electrical energy is generated, harnessed, processed, maintained and distributed, as well as discussing how science, politics, and social, economic and environmental issues affect the energy industry. Students will participate in a more in-depth exploration of innovative technology and energy systems and will be challenged to design and build working models with realistic budgetary, environmental and local constraints.

The learning experience will be enhanced through a partnership with PSEG. The energy company is providing the school $5,000 to help fund classroom materials that will help students learn about the power of renewable energy. And it is providing technical expertise, classroom speakers and opportunities for students to visit its generation plants. PSEG was instrumental in developing the current curriculum being studied by freshman, and is working to help the school design the sophomore year lesson plans.

“The Green Energy Academy is a great opportunity to teach our students about issues affecting our environment and quality of life as well as exposing them to a growing industry that will have great impact on our society,” Essex County Bloomfield Tech Physical Science Teacher Todd Menadier said. “Our students are excited to come to class because of the unique opportunities made possible through the partnership of the County and PSEG,” he added.

During the press conference, students from the Green Energy Academy provided a demonstration of a solar energy experiment they have been conducting. The students installed the solar panels on a miniature model home that was created by the school’s carpentry class and explained how the technology worked.

“I’m happy I have this class. It has helped me learn how to save energy and the environment. When I’m home, I turn off lights, close windows to save energy and money,” said 9^th grader Fernando Torres.

“The most important thing I learned was that recycling is important for the environment,” 9^th grader Selah Xavier said. “I think I would like to get into a field where I can help the environment and make it cleaner,” he added.

About PSEG

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSE&G is New Jersey’s oldest and largest utility and one of the state’s largest employers. The utility serves nearly three-quarters of the state’s population and was recently named the most reliable electric utility in the nation. For more information on the company’s workforce development efforts, visit www.pseg.com/workforce.