Program Provides Hands-on Experience for Baltimore City Vo-tech High School Students

BALTIMORE (July 6, 2016) —Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s (BGE) Smart Energy Workforce Development Program today welcomes the first class of high school interns from Baltimore City vocational-technical high schools. 13 rising seniors from Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School (Mervo) and Green Street Academy will spend five-weeks gaining experience in their chosen educational tracks.

“This internship program is a concrete example of our commitment to Baltimore, its school system and the economic health of its communities. By aligning with high-achieving students who have a desire to learn, we can expose them to what it takes to succeed in their careers. Hopefully some will find a home with BGE,” said Robert Matthews, BGE’s human resources senior manager.

Students studying computer aided design, automotive maintenance, pre-engineering, electrical construction and carpentry will spend four weeks with relevant BGE departments: design, fleet services, engineering, facilities and overhead services. The program’s first week will focus on professional development and providing skills to help the students prepare for a successful internship.

Students will be located at either BGE’s Lord Baltimore Building in Woodlawn or Front Street Building in Baltimore. BGE is also providing transportation for the students working in Woodlawn to increase the program’s accessibility. Students will make their own way to Mervo or Green Street, then ride a BGE chartered school bus to their work location. Students working in Baltimore City will be provided assistance with obtaining bus passes.

“Transportation from Baltimore City to Baltimore County can be difficult, especially for teenagers who rely on public transportation. Without the chartered bus, the students would have had to take multiple bus lines and spend several hours to get to and from the internship. We want them to spend their energy learning, so company sponsored transportation is a key part of the program,” said Matthews.

This internship program is one piece of BGE’s Smart Energy Workforce Development Program. In April, the company announced a joint effort with local workforce development agencies and vocational schools to increase the applicant pool for the BGE Utility Trainee program by helping organizations prepare individuals for the Construction and Skilled Trade (CAST) test, a utility industry standard. More than 30 organizations in central Maryland have received access to BGE’s CAST Test Preparation Course.

The company is also developing an apprenticeship program that will provide a full-time job to individuals who past the CAST test but need to gain the required two years of experience prior to joining the Utility Trainee program. This program is expected to launch in summer of 2017. BGE’s commitment to training potential employees in our communities is one of the many ways the company is moving smart energy forward.

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