New program seeks to get high school students excited about opportunities for green jobs within the traditional trades BLOOMFIELD, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- State and local officials gathered today with educators and students at Bloomfield Tech to celebrate the new Green Energy Academy created by Essex County Vocational Technical Schools in partnership with PSEG. Now in its first year, the Green Energy Academy introduces high school freshmen at Bloomfield Tech to "green" career opportunities within the traditional trades. Builders, welders, electricians, architects and engineers will all need to understand the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the future, and this program is creating student interest at a young age. "Making sure the workforce can meet the business needs of the future is one of the greatest challenges we face," said Ralph LaRossa, President and Chief Operating Officer of PSE&G. "We not only need to replace a generation of retiring employees, we also need to prepare workers for the green collar jobs of tomorrow. Programs like this one will help get young people excited about the opportunities for green jobs within the traditional trades." PSEG was instrumental in developing the current curriculum being studied by freshman, and is working to help the school design lesson plans for sophomores. The company provided the school $5,000 to help fund classroom materials that help students learn about the power of renewable energy. And it has provided technical expertise, classroom speakers and opportunities for students to visit its facilities. "With the emphasis being placed on protecting the environment and conserving energy, our new Green Energy Academy will put our students on a career track for this growing and dynamic new industry," said Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. "This partnership with PSEG will provide the groundwork and training for our next generation of green sector professionals." Essex County Vocational Technical School students interested in pursuing a green energy track will be invited to enroll in the three-year program beginning their sophomore year. In addition to receiving a regular liberal arts education, the students will concentrate their studies in mathematics, social sciences, engineering, physical sciences and sustainability. Students will participate in a more in-depth exploration of innovative technology and energy systems and will be challenged to design and build working models with realistic budgetary, environmental and local constraints. "Governor Corzine recognizes that new approaches to energy provide new pathways to economic prosperity," said New Jersey Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner David Socolow. "The creation of educational programs like this one, focusing on green energy jobs, fits perfectly with the state's commitment to developing a world-class workforce prepared for emerging job opportunities." The Academy is the first of its kind in New Jersey, and will likely be replicated in the coming years by other New Jersey schools. "This program provides our students an invaluable opportunity and advantage in the ever-changing and competitive job market," said Essex County Vocational Technical Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Pennella. Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSE&G is New Jersey's oldest and largest utility and one of the state's largest employers. The utility serves nearly three-quarters of the state's population and was recently named the most reliable electric utility in the nation. For more information on the company's workforce development efforts, visit http://www.pseg.com/workforce. DATASOURCE: Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) CONTACT: Jenn Kramer, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), +1-973-430-7734 Web Site: http://www.pseg.com/ http://www.pseg.com/workforce

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