When Gwendolyn Small was looking to re-enter the workforce after focusing on her family for the past decade, she wanted to do something different, something that would allow her to learn new skills and grow with a company. As a client of the Urban League of Essex County, Gwen heard of the PSE&G On-the-Job-Training (OJT) Program from a counselor and applied for the position.
Once enrolled, Gwen embarked on a six-month training journey delving into the intricacies of the lighting industry with a curriculum that focuses on readying participants for clean energy careers. Adapting to the remote training setup was an initial challenge, but the small class size fostered an environment that allowed for ample practice and extra support from the instructor.
During her training, Gwen honed many practical skills and ultimately found her place at Encore LED, a company renowned for providing top-tier, energy-efficient and eco-friendly LED lighting products.
“I familiarized myself with the company’s application systems, learned the industry-specific terminology and gained insight into the New Jersey Clean Energy Act, which emphasizes the importance of reducing emissions to prepare for our future electricity needs,” Gwen said. “Additionally, I discovered the availability of PSE&G rebates designed to help customers minimize their energy consumption.”
The OJT program, is a pivotal component of the Clean Energy Jobs Program, a collaborative workforce development initiative we sponsor in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Since its inception in June 2021, the program has successfully facilitated the placement of more than 2,400 New Jersey residents in meaningful clean energy roles. Furthermore, the program has trained upwards of 100 minority-owned small business owners, thereby bolstering the state’s rapidly growing energy efficiency sector.
Fast forward to today, Gwen has made great progress as a part of Encore LED for close to two years. She expressed her surprise at the scale of the organization and its operations.
“The company continually diversifies into new ventures, such as EV chargers and SPAN electrical panels (a technology that replaces your existing electrical panel and turns any home into a smart home) providing employees with opportunities to expand their knowledge and skill set,” Gwen said.
To bring it full circle, Gwen enthusiastically recommends the OJT Program to anyone with an interest in learning about or transitioning to the clean energy field.
From its inaugural class in November 2021 through today, the Clean Energy Jobs Program has completed four OJT cohorts. The last group of students graduated in September 2023, expanding the total number of program graduates to 59 individuals. The current OJT class, which commenced in January 2024, demonstrates the program’s continued commitment to training individuals seeking to enter the clean energy field.
If you are interested in learning more about the On-the-Job Training Program, click here.
Can smart meters be hacked shutting down the power to the grids or individual houses or areas? Can PSeg reduce electrical usage during high usage times example really hot days or reduce the power to the meter if the grid is iverloaded