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In this issue of “The Good Stuff,” the GE Vernova Foundation invests in an energy industry skills grant to advance critical workforce needs in Poland.
WROCLAW, Poland — As part of continued efforts to educate and train the next generation of global energy leaders, the GE Vernova Foundation today announced a grant of $800,000 USD to Assist International, which will partner with Wroclaw University of Science and Technology to create a new technical training program in Wroclaw, Poland, focused on building skills capacity in distributed energy systems and grid integration.
The three-year grant will support the creation of a training lab equipped with modern technology, alongside the development of a three-tiered, skills-based curriculum spanning introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. The program will deliver hands-on technical training for vocational and technical students, undergraduate engineering students, and technicians, while offering scholarships to reduce financial barriers and expand access to training and economic opportunity for low-income learners. It will also help inspire the future workforce by engaging local middle and high school students through hands-on experiences in the lab, sparking curiosity and interest in energy-related careers. The three-year program anticipates reaching 800 students and learners.
“The GE Vernova Foundation is proud to support the next generation of energy leaders in Poland,” said Kristin Carvell, GE Vernova Foundation President and Chief Communications Officer, GE Vernova. “This workforce and skills development program focuses on practical training and educational opportunities that will help drive the future of energy in Europe and beyond.”
Poland is focused on building the workforce needed to transition its energy systems and modernize infrastructure to meet net-zero goals, with demand increasing for technicians and engineers with hand-on experience in renewable energy, grid integration, and modern power systems.
“Assist International is proud to partner with the GE Vernova Foundation and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology to expand hands-on training for Poland’s energy workforce. This initiative will equip learners with practical skills that open doors to opportunity and support the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy future,” said Cheri Reynolds, Vice President, Strategy & Programs, Assist International.
“The energy transition is a major challenge for Poland, but also an opportunity to develop new economic sectors and create jobs,” said Professor Waldemar Rebizant, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. “The advancement of modern renewable energy technologies, energy storage solutions, and the modernization of existing networks cannot succeed without conducting scientific research and training specialists. Collaboration with partners such as the GE Vernova Foundation helps us effectively carry out tasks related to the country’s energy security.”
With an estimated 30 million new energy jobs needed in the next five years, initiatives like this play a vital role in developing the technical skills and hands-on experience required for today’s energy workforce. The program helps build a pipeline of job-ready talent prepared to support the systems and technologies driving a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
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