South Jersey Gas Supports Inaugural Youth Energy Conference

The South Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy ® (AABE), in partnership with the Legacy Nexus Foundation recently hosted the inaugural Youth Energy Conference: Awareness and Access Campaign 2017 at Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) in Mays Landing. The unique conference was designed specifically for junior and senior high school students in the Atlantic County region who have demonstrated strong aptitudes in STEM curriculum and shown interest in a future career or further educational pursuits in the energy industry.

Dave Robbins, President of South Jersey Gas (SJG), a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries, joined fellow SJG colleagues and representatives from Atlantic City Electric, PSEG and other AABE member companies and stakeholders at the conference to establish relationships with youth and educate motivated individuals about potential careers within the energy sector.

“Reliable utility service starts with highly-motivated, expertly trained, educated workers,” said Robbins. “Valuable one-on-one mentorship opportunities, like those available to students through this conference, have a positive influence on youth who are just beginning to explore their potential career paths.”

The conference kicked-off with remarks from Joseph Potkay, Principal of ACIT, and Stacey Barnes, Esq., President of the South Jersey Chapter of AABE and Assistant General Counsel, SJG & Compliance at South Jersey Industries. Charles Wilson, Founder of the Legacy Nexus Foundation delivered the keynote address. Additionally, executives from South Jersey Gas and Atlantic City Electric spoke to students about each company and the various career opportunities that exist within their company.

Students then attended two dynamic workshops – Careers in Energy and Barriers to Entry – designed to prepare youth for employment after graduation. As an added benefit to students, energy professionals were available to answer questions one-on-one and share firsthand their experiences in the industry.

“South Jersey Gas remains committed to the education and growth of our future energy workforce,” continued Robbins. “This conference is one way our company can inspire a new generation of workers – introducing them to what we do each day to ensure our customers always receive the safe, reliable service they have come to expect.

Captions:

Photo 1 – Attendees, presenters and volunteers gathered at the inaugural Youth Energy Conference: Awareness and Access Campaign 2017 at Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) in Mays Landing. Dave Robbins, President of South Jersey Gas (front row, far left) spoke to students about the current state of the energy industry in New Jersey and future career opportunities.

Photo 2 – Charles Wilson, Founder of Legacy Nexus Foundation, spoke to students during the “Barriers to Entry” presentation at the inaugural Youth Energy Conference. Legacy Nexus Foundation partnered with American Association of Blacks in Energy ® (AABE) to host this unique conference targeting high school junior and seniors with an interest and aptitude for STEM curriculum.

Photo 3 – (from left) Bill Tappin, Supervisor, Damage Prevention at South Jersey Gas and Henry Walch of Utiliquest showed students how to “locate” a gas line during the inaugural Youth Energy Conference.

Photo 4 – Students at the inaugural Youth Energy Conference were given the opportunity to learn about how utilities operate directly from the professionals. Pictured here (from left) is Van McPherson, AABE member and Corporate Counsel at South Jersey Gas, Don Baumgartel, Street Foreman and John Monzo, Street Mechanic who spoke to students about how operations work at South Jersey Gas.

Photo 5 – Stacey Barnes, Assistant General Counsel, SJG & Compliance at South Jersey Industries and President of AABE’s South Jersey Chapter (pictured, far right) interviewed by East Hills Media at the inaugural Youth Energy Conference.

About the American Association of Blacks in Energy ® (AABE) South Jersey Chapter:

AABE® is a national association of energy professionals founded and dedicated to ensure the input of minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policy regulations, R&D technologies and environmental issues. The national association of energy professionals was founded 1977 and is dedicated to ensuring the input of minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies, regulations, R&D technologies, and environmental issues. Over 1600 professionals across 35 chapters make up AABE. The mission of the organization is carried out through focused initiatives, including: energy policy development, career and professional development, information dissemination, and scholarships and awards. The group also places a heavy focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives as well as continuing research into climate change and policies centered on that issue.

The South Jersey Chapter of AABE was officially chartered on May 21, 2010. The chapter’s initiatives focus on community service, scholarships, mentoring, education awareness and networking within the community and through local businesses. Learn more at: www.aabe.org.

About South Jersey Gas:

South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYSE:SJI), delivers safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and promotes energy efficiency to approximately 380,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey. Visit www.southjerseygas.com to learn more about South Jersey Gas and its programs.