NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Fifty Connecticut high school students completed the Green STEP Summer Program last month, as they prepare to embark on careers in the energy efficiency and green building trade industries.
Green STEP combines existing high school curriculums with specialized training workshops pertaining to science, technology, engineering and math, or S.T.E.M. A focus is also placed on sustainability and energy efficiency, as students become aware of job opportunities in those fields.
According to a release from Green STEP, the two-week paid-to-train development program was offered by Energize Connecticut sponsors Eversource and Avangrid Inc. and subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas.
The workforce development program’s awards ceremony was held July 25 at Eversource in New Britain, as students were presented with their program completion certificates, the release said. They also had a chance to partake in a career expo and meet with area businesses to discuss available internships and career opportunities.
In addition to receiving program certificates, 23 students earned their technical certifications needed for the green building and energy efficiency industries, according to the release, while 10 students were awarded Certificates of Excellence in their Education Track.
Track A related to “Weatherization & Existing Building Upgrades,” and students awarded Certifications of Excellence included Paul Lepage of Meriden, Allan Correia of Bridgeport and Dorian Wallace of Hartford.
Track B had to do with “Decarbonization & Efficient Building Systems” and the following students were awarded Certifications of Excellence: Deandre Shakespeare of Bridgeport, Angel Rodriguez of Manchester, Luis McClain of Bridgeport and Shreeji Patel of East Haven.
Track C pertained to “Green Building and Construction.” The students awarded Certificates of Excellence in this track are all from West Haven; they include Imyre Dasher, Zoe Akwada and Mekhi Dasher.
As part of the experience, students were taught by certified industry experts, the release said.
“Work-ready training courses such as heat pumps and geothermal, resume and interview prep and OSHA 10 were also available to all students,” according to the release.
For more than 10 years, Green STEP has provided industry training to the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. The release said the program has expanded its curriculum in the past year to include all high school students in the state by providing Virtual After School Certificate Training and summer programs designed to educate and prepare students for careers in the green building and energy efficiency trade industries.
According to the release, the program has awarded 525 students with certifications.
RELATED: Eversource is upgrading transmission structures to modernize its grid in Central Connecticut
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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