Youth Energy Academy (YEA)
Our YEA Program provides outreach to youth in the local community. We hope to inspire youth by exposing them to jobs in the energy-related industry through interactive activities designed to spark their interest in vocational and academics related to STEM and Energy.
Local energy field experts have teamed up to introduce high school students to the many careers in the electric utility field. The Youth Energy Academy is an interactive workshop aimed to spark the 8th – 12th grade students’ interest in traveling an academic path toward a career in the energy industry. Students explore high-skill, high-wage careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during the two-day event. The high schoolers learn how electricity is delivered to homes and businesses, participate in hands-on demonstrations and discover the soft skills needed for a successful career.
Over ten years ago, the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) incorporated a Youth Energy Academy model focused on, but not limited to, minority students in Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and South Florida. AABE’s goal is to proactively gain the interest of an emerging workforce by educating young people about opportunities in the energy arena.
Sponsors are prominently displayed on-site and in online promotions for the academy programs. The most effective recognition is for facilitators and participants to display sponsor logos on t-shirts, backpacks and other promotional items.