NEWARK – Twelve local high school students are now looking forward to careers in the energy field as they are now graduates of Delmarva Power’s Path to Success program. Over the past eight months, students have participated in the program’s one-on-one career coaching, career exploration and professional skill building and have now earned an opportunity for a career with Delmarva Power or a partnering contractor.
“At Delmarva Power, we understand the incredible impact our workforce development opportunities provide our communities, especially as we continue to restart Delaware in the wake of the pandemic,” said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. “This program provides local students with a unique opportunity to join our energy workforce of tomorrow and I congratulate every graduate on this amazing achievement. I am excited to see what they accomplish with the training and knowledge they have received from some of our best Delmarva Power employees.”
Path to Success Program Details
- The program begins with mentoring in a student’s junior year of high school.
- During the fall, students receive specialized tutoring focused on improving their GPA, learning financial literacy, developing a resume and honing professional development skills.
- The spring of their senior year students receive a paid internship with Delmarva Power and study for the Construction and Skilled Trades (CAST) test, which is requirement for employment at Delmarva Power.
All 12 students successfully completed their CAST test in June. Of the 12 graduates, 11 will be offered employment with Delmarva Power or a partnering contractor. One program graduate has elected to pursue a degree in engineering and has accepted a summer internship in Delmarva Power’s engineering department.
Delmarva Power has worked in partnership with local schools and Delaware Health and Social Services to recruit interested students and will start a second class of 30 Delaware high school students beginning this October.
“We are all excited for what the future as in store for us,” said Kemauri Whittlesey, Path to Success graduate. “We share a bond that can’t be broken as the first cohort of the path to success program.”
Delmarva Power partnered with the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME) to create a virtual curriculum that focuses on human performance skills, as well as CAST test training. For additional support, Delmarva Power contracted three Delaware teachers to serve as tutors who focus on teambuilding, problem solving and academic support through weekly meetings and workshops.
The Path to Success commitment for students is in addition to traditional school responsibilities. Students interested in making the commitment beginning in their junior year should contact their school counselor for more information. Since the merger with Exelon, Delmarva Power has dedicated $2 million to workforce development programs.
