BALTIMORE — As students across central Maryland head back to school, BGE reminds customers of the company’s commitment to education, specifically in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), workforce development and scholarships for higher education. In addition to its own programs, BGE also supports nonprofit partners with education-focused initiatives.
“BGE’s focus on educating young people about careers in the energy industry is one of the ways we hold true to our purpose of powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers and communities,” said Denise Galambos, vice president of human resources for BGE. “Specifically, students who pursue careers in STEM will find innovative and challenging opportunities awaiting them in the energy industry, and we want to ensure that they consider BGE as a preferred potential employer.”
Since 2016, more than 400 students have participated in BGE’s Smart Energy Workforce Development program. The students, from Carver Vocational Technical, Edmondson-Westside and Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School (Mervo) high schools and Green Street Academy, gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields of study, including automotive technology, pre-engineering, construction and computer-aided design (CAD). This year, 43 high school students successfully completed the internship program. Three past participants have been hired as full-time employees by BGE following their graduation from high school. An additional ten hires are anticipated for the fall.
In 2017, BGE introduced its Bright Ideas grant program, which provides up to $500 for schoolteachers for STEM enrichment activities. To date, 54 teachers have been awarded a total of $25,000.
Also in 2017, BGE launched the BGE Scholars Program, which provides up to $5,000 in annual scholarships to college students over four years. Most of the scholarship recipients are studying STEM-related fields. In 2018, the BGE Scholars Program was renamed the BGE Frank Heintz Scholarship fund, in memory of former BGE CEO Frank Heintz, who was also a teacher in the Baltimore City School system.