PECO’s Intern Program Helping to Prepare Workforce of the Future
Local students gain experience and exposure to careers in energy
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–While school was officially out this summer, PECO continued its
commitment to providing local students with opportunities to advance
their education. Nearly 30 students from 13 area high schools completed
summer internships at PECO, which culminated in presentations of
innovative energy projects to their peers and employees.
PECO’s internship program introduces students to work experiences built
on innovation and personal development. It teaches students how they can
help build the future of the energy industry with an emphasis on social
and environmental responsibility. This summer, the interns were exposed
to more than 20 PECO different departments, gaining insight about the
operation of the company’s electric and natural gas systems, customer
experience initiatives, and business support functions.
“With the rising interest in science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) studies in our schools, we’re proud to offer internship programs
that give students an opportunity to flex those skills while learning
more about the role PECO plays in our communities,” said Mary Krick,
PECO vice president of Human Resources.
Now in its 12th year, PECO’s high school intern program has provided
internships to more than 220 area students. It also supports the
company’s diversity and inclusion efforts by providing internship
opportunities to female and minority students.
“PECO has equipped me with the experience I need to be successful in any
corporate setting,” said Jonathan McCoy, a PECO summer intern who
recently graduated from Cheltenham High School in Montgomery County, Pa.
“I feel more confident and aware as a result of my time at PECO, and I’m
very lucky to have received this opportunity.”
PECO also provides summer internships to college students, with more
than 10 students participating in this year’s program. This year’s
college interns came from seven schools, including Temple University,
Penn State University, Ohio State University and Rutgers University.
High school students can apply for summer internships at PECO through
the Philadelphia Youth Network by visiting summerapp.workreadyphila.org.
College students interested in PECO internships can get more information
by visiting exeloncorp.com/careers/opportunities-for-students.
PECO’s commitment to area students goes beyond internship programming.
Through a partnership with Drexel University, PECO and its parent
company, Exelon, hire about 100 students each year as part of a
cooperative education program. In addition, PECO has provided
scholarships to deserving Drexel students through the Exelon Endowed
Scholarship Fund for Women and Minorities in Engineering. More than 120
students have received more than $830,000 in scholarships through the
endowment since 2004.
PECO also contributes more than $150,000 annually in scholarships for
limited-income students at local college and universities – a great
investment in our future workforce. Beginning in 2016, the company is
providing $10,000 annually to support STEM programming at Bucks,
Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Community Colleges.
And, in June 2016, the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic
Development announced, in partnership with PECO, a new introductory
training program to develop a local skilled natural gas workforce. The
hands-on program is currently offered at Delaware County Community
College and prepares students for entry-level employment in the natural
gas industry.
For more information about PECO’s educational initiatives, visit peco.com/community.
Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility
subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). The company’s 2,400
dedicated employees provide advanced, innovative energy solutions to 1.6
million electric and more than 511,000 natural gas customers in
southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2015 PECO delivered 86.9 billion cubic
feet of natural gas and 38 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The
company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.5 billion in
Pennsylvania, supporting more than 9,600 local jobs and producing $760
million in labor income. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater
Philadelphia Region’s most active corporate citizens, providing
leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and
culture, education, environmental, economic development and community
programs and organizations. For more information visit PECO.com,
and connect with the company on Facebook
and Twitter.
If you are a member of the media and would like to receive PECO news
releases via email, please send your email address to PECO.Communication@exeloncorp.com.
Contacts
PECO
Debra Yemenijian
215-841-5091 or 215-841-5555
debra.yemenijian@exeloncorp.com
