The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), in partnership with Scholarship America, recently announced the creation of the Get Into Energy Scholarship Fund, a national initiative designed to expand access to energy careers. The fund aims to grow paths to energy employment, addressing financial barriers that hinder access to rewarding careers.
In the decade ahead, energy employers expect to face historic hiring demands to power and fuel the nation’s energy evolution. While two-thirds of Americans (66%) would consider pursuing or recommending a career in energy, only one in six (17%) know how to pursue an energy career if they wanted to, according to CEWD’s recent national survey conducted by the Harris Poll. The Get Into Energy Scholarship Fund will help qualified individuals access the education and training necessary to fill critical roles.
“Our goal is to make energy careers accessible to anyone with the interest and drive to succeed,” said Missy Henriksen, executive director, Center for Energy Workforce Development. “By addressing the financial cost of pursuing rigorous programs, we can expand opportunity for learners and strengthen the talent pool that energy employers depend on. We now need industry and philanthropy partners to fund the scholarship and help build our future workforce.”
When the program launches in 2026, the fund will include a series of sub-funds that include:
- General Scholarship Fund: A fund intended to flexibly support people interested in pursuing rigorous, relevant education or workforce training programs and who may not be strong candidates for the other distinct scholarship funds.
- Urban Energy Scholarships: Supporting residents of urban communities, particularly those participating in the Urban Energy Jobs Program, the soon-to-be-launched Urban Energy After School Program, or the National Urban League’s Project Ready.
- Veterans Scholarships: Supporting veterans pursuing energy careers, attracting more individuals with transferable skill sets into energy employment.
- Hire PowHER Scholarships: Supporting women pursuing energy careers to close the gap between the 26% of the energy workforce that are women vs. 47% of the U.S. workforce.
- Boosting Apprenticeship Success (Emergency Aid Fund): Supporting participants in Registered Apprenticeship Programs by covering emergency one-time expenses that jeopardize their ability to persist in their programs, such as childcare, housing, transportation, food, or other immediate financial needs.
Read more from CEWD: Center for Energy Workforce Development Announces Get Into Energy Scholarship Fund to Expand Access to Industry Careers | CEWD