Atlantic City graduates second Atlantic City Electric work program class

Atlantic City honored its second class of residents who completed a program that offers job training in electrical work.

Twenty residents completed the 16-week Atlantic City Infrastructure Program, an energy workforce-training program that is a partnership between the city and Atlantic City Electric.

The partnership was announced in September 2022. Last February, 26 completed the inaugural class.

“I was afforded the opportunity to enter into the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program, where I was able to hone in on specific skills, which have been vital to my success,” said Austin King, one Friday’s graduates. “I look forward to my future career and have a true appreciation and attitude of gratitude for how this program has not only affected my life for the better, but as well as my family’s.” 

The program provides residents a path to careers in the energy field, with a job opportunity for each graduate either with Atlantic City Electric or one of the company’s contractors of choice.

“I am proud of all the graduates today, who completed a rigorous curriculum that has prepared them for not just a job, but an exciting career, in the energy industry,” Pepco Holdings CEO Tyler Anthony said during the ceremony at Stockton University’s Atlantic City location. “We have seen firsthand the life-changing impacts ACIP has on the graduates, and they serve as strong example that the talent to power our communities, keep the lights on and transform the future of energy, lies right within their neighborhood.”

The program focuses on members from the under-resourced population, enabling participants to gain utility training and work-ready skills to prepare them for promising careers in the energy field.

Mayor Marty Small addresses the class.

 

The program “has already opened the doors for dozens of Atlantic City residents to jumpstart their new careers, with some already earning six figures,” Mayor Marty Small said. “And we expect our new round of graduates will find similar success as they begin the next chapter in their lives. We’re grateful to continue to be able to work with Atlantic City Electric and Pepco Holdings to help make our residents dreams come true through this program.”

The 16-week program began Sept. 27, and was held in three-hour sessions two days per week.

Training took place at Atlantic Cape Community College’s Worthington Campus in Atlantic City, who also provided the program education in partnership with the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board.

Participants also received a $1,500 stipend.

“I congratulate all the graduates on the successful completion of this program,” said Fran Kuhn, executive director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board. “These accomplishments entitle them to be candidates for employment opportunities with Atlantic City Electric and their partners. The graduates are now well-positioned to begin a career in the electric utility sector – which they may not have thought possible before. I wish them much success.”

The Atlantic City Infrastructure Program builds on a broader six-year, $6.5 million South Jersey Workforce Development Program that Atlantic City Electric launched in 2018, in partnership with seven South Jersey community colleges and workforce development boards.

“New Jersey has seen an influx of infrastructure projects and investments, and with that comes an increase in quality jobs for our workers, and the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program has created a sustainable talent pipeline to help do just that,” N.J. Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. "We’re grateful to have partners in our municipalities and our employers, such as Atlantic City Electric, who are equally committed to uplifting our workforce and the Garden State."

The third cohort is set to begin on April 10.

Residents of Atlantic City interested in participating in the next Atlantic City Infrastructure Program cohort can contact Rachele Dorsey at Rachele.Dorsey@exeloncorp.com.

Atlantic City Electric has several initiatives to help with residents and students with new career opportunities:

• The company recently joined Jingoli Power to provide jobs to 16 Atlantic City young adults as part of its Atlantic City/Brigantine Community Reliability Project.
• The company’s High School Energy Career Academy is a four-year program focused on preparing students in grades nine through 12, for entering post-secondary education or moving directly to employment in the energy field.
• Its Spark Internship Program provides an eight-week summer paid work experience and work-readiness education for rising South Jersey high school juniors and seniors with an interest in engineering, information/technology, technical services, trades, environmental studies and other energy industry relevant subject areas.
• Through the company’s Community Scholars Program, hundreds of South Jersey students have received support of as much as $5,000 to pursue degrees in various disciplines, including STEM and business-related fields.

The mayor’s initiatives include:

• The Small Business Academy, a free course that educates Atlantic City residents on how to start their own business.
• The Investment Cohort, a free program that teaches Atlantic City residents how to become investors.
• The Ernest Trans Trucking School, which prepares residents for a trucking career.
• This year, the city will introduce a free welding program.

To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, on Facebook or on X, formerly known as Twitter. CLICK HERE for Atlantic City Electric’s mobile app.