High School Seniors Getting a Head Start in Green Jobs

BEE Project’s Green Jobs Program prepares high school students for green jobs through education, resume building, introductions to industry professionals, and internships creating lifelong connections.

(San Antonio, TX), March 1, 2021: - BEE Project’s Green Jobs Program has partnered with the Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST Schools) to prepare students from CAST Tech for jobs in green industries. Participating students will complete this program with a resume, a LinkedIn profile, connections with local green industry professionals and first access to five summer paid internships.

This Green Jobs Program is generously sponsored by CPS Energy and Itron. Incorporating components from their Smart Energy Education curriculum, this eight week program provides an opportunity for students to imagine careers applying their skills in technology to reimagine the way we produce and use energy to combat climate change.

Students completing this program will have access to five paid summer internships sponsored by CPS Energy in collaboration with San Antonio ISD’s Sustainability Department. These internships will allow students to begin applying the knowledge they’ve gained to real world challenges.

“I’m excited for the students to explore the complexity of the energy industry and for them to foster pragmatic conversations about resourcefulness. We hope this training will nurture interest in future internships and careers in the industry” ~ Stephanie Ockenfels, CPS Energy Corporate Responsibility

“At Itron, we believe the way we manage energy and water will define the century. As global citizens and mentors, we are thrilled to collaborate with the BEE Project to inspire future innovators and help shape a more resourceful world” ~ Callie Bendickson, Itron Corporate Social Responsibility

About BEE Project

BEE Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to training the next generation’s green workforce. Our programs aim to create equitable pathways to green jobs.

About the CAST Schools Network

The Centers for Applied Science & Technology (CAST) is a San Antonio-based network of tuition-free, public schools with a mission to reinvent schooling in order to maximize options for students while preparing them for college, career, and life. Open to all Bexar County students, the network includes high schools CAST Tech, CAST STEM CAST Med, CAST Lead and the Advanced Learning Academy. Schools are co-created with industry, and partner with area public school districts, including San Antonio, Southwest, and East Central ISDs. For more information, visit castschools.com.

About Smart Energy Education

Water and energy are the two most critical resources to human survival, and the way we manage these precious resources will define the century. To create a better tomorrow, we need a new generation of innovators to help solve these problems today. In an effort to address these challenges, Itron, CPS Energy, and The University of Texas at Austin have partnered to create Smart Energy Education – an educational initiative that aims to improve energy and water literacy, encourage conservation, and inspire future talent to join us in creating more sustainable communities and a more resourceful world. www.smartenergyeducation.com

Program Sponsored By

Itron enables utilities and cities to safely, securely, and reliably deliver critical infrastructure services to communities in more than 100 countries. Our portfolio of smart networks, software, services, meters and sensors helps our customers better manage electricity, gas and water resources for the people they serve. By working with our customers to ensure their success, we help improve the quality of life, ensure safety and promote the well-being of millions of people around the globe. Itron is dedicated to creating a more resourceful world.

Established in 1860, CPS Energy is the nation’s largest public power, natural gas and electric company, providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced service to 840,750 electric and 352,585 natural gas customers in San Antonio and portions of seven adjoining counties. Our customers’ combined energy bills rank among the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities – while generating $7 billion in revenue for the City of San Antonio for more than seven decades. As a trusted and strong community partner, we continuously focus on job creation, economic development and educational investment. True to our People First philosophy, we are powered by our skilled workforce, whose commitment to the community is demonstrated through our employees’ volunteerism in giving back to our city and programs aimed at bringing value to our customers. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation.