The GE Vernova Foundation is investing $500,000 in scholarships for vocational and technical training in five cities across the USA for individuals of all backgrounds pursuing careers related to electric power.

This is part of a focus on building the workforce needed to drive the future of energy.

GE Vernova recently announced nearly $600m in planned investments in its US factories and facilities over the next two years, expected to create approximately 1500 jobs, to help meet the surging electricity demands around the world.

In collaboration with the Atlanta-based SkillPointe Foundation (www.skillpointefoundation.org), the GE Vernova Foundation aims to create a lasting impact on workforce development in the energy sector and help enable the future of energy. Launching in Charleroi, Pennsylvania; Greenville, South Carolina; Houston, Texas; Schenectady, New York; and Pensacola, Florida – all home to GE Vernova facilities – the Future of Energy scholarship fund will focus on students pursuing skilled trades or a technical career as well as the reskilling of adults looking to re-career.

This $500,000 commitment will fund technical and vocational training to equip current and future workers with skills required for jobs in grid modernisation, power generation and related fields. The two-year investment will provide a hundred $5000 scholarships, for a total of $100,000 investment in each of the five locations.

“To keep pace with the demand and new innovations across the energy sector, we’re experiencing a growing need for a workforce that’s skilled in new technologies and functions,” said Kristin Carvell, president of the GE Vernova Foundation. “The GE Vernova Future of Energy SkillPointe scholarship programme supports our mission to electrify and decarbonise the world by fostering the next generation of skilled workers who can bridge the current skills gap and help power the energy transition forward.”

The SkillPointe Foundation, which has a track record in scholarship management, will oversee the programme.

“Our partnership with the GE Vernova Foundation is a natural fit, as both organisations share a commitment to bridging the skills gap and building tomorrow’s workforce,” said Alvin Townley, founding executive director of the SkillPointe Foundation. “In particular, we are honoured to help build the workforce that will lead the future of energy.”

The scholarship is open to individuals of all backgrounds seeking or enrolled in training for career paths not requiring a four-year degree. Among the programme’s pathways of focus are construction, electrical systems, equipment technician, heavy equipment operation, HVAC, CNC machining, mechatronics, pipefitting, steam fitting, robotics, systems technician and welding.

For information on how to apply for a scholarship, go to webportalapp.com/sp/login/skillpointefoundation_ge-vernova-future-of-energy.

The GE Vernova Foundation is an independent charitable organisation funded by GE Vernova. Learn more at www.gevernova.com/about/philanthropy.

GE Vernova (www.gevernova.com) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes power, wind and electrification segments. It is headquartered at 58 Charles Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with approximately 75,000 employees across 100 countries.