National Urban League and Center for Energy Workforce Development Launch Urban Energy After-School Program
The National Urban League and Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) announced the launch of the Urban Energy After-School Program (UEASP), a transformative collaboration designed to prepare underserved urban youth with the skills, knowledge, and connections to succeed in high-demand, financially rewarding energy careers. The partnership, formalized through a signing ceremony today, represents a significant step toward building a well-prepared generation of future energy leaders ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry.
With the energy sector undergoing historic growth, driven by rising energy demand, electrification, AI, grid modernization, and more, there is an urgent need to attract, prepare, and empower the next generation of energy leaders. The UEASP aims to fill this gap by providing critical career-readiness programming to high school students in urban communities, preparing them for careers in the evolving energy industry.
Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, emphasized the program’s far-reaching potential: “The UEASP isn’t just about career preparation, it’s about generational change. By introducing students to the energy industry early on, we’re opening the doors to stability, growth, and leadership that can ripple through families and communities for years to come.”
In its inaugural year, the program will launch in 7 urban communities with plans to expand to upwards of 40 communities in the years to follow. The goal is to engage 1,000 students annually, providing them with hands-on energy curriculum, job readiness skills, mentorship, and connections to industry leaders.
“As the energy industry grows, we must expand access to its career opportunities for all communities,” said Missy Henriksen, CEWD’s executive director. “The UEASP is our commitment to urban youth, offering them a clear pathway to energy careers—from GED to PhD—and giving them the tools to step directly into impactful, sustainable roles in this dynamic sector.”
The UEASP will be powered by a collaborative team, combining CEWD’s expertise in energy workforce development with the National Urban League’s deep understanding of urban youth communities. This partnership is strengthened by the involvement of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), which will provide mentorship, role models, and guidance for students.
The program will feature:
- Energy Curriculum: Ready-to-use, modular content that aligns with the Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster and CEWD’s Energy Industry Fundamentals curriculum
- Skill Development & Career Readiness: Hands-on training in energy sector technical proficiencies, including preparation for industry certifications
- Exposure to Energy Careers: Increased visibility of energy opportunities through NUL’s career fairs and media platforms
- Train-the-Trainer Programs: Equipping educators, mentors, and facilitators with the expertise to deliver effective energy curriculum
- Ongoing Support: Technical assistance for instructors, mentoring opportunities, and internships to connect students to industry employers
- Urban Energy Scholarships: Scholarships for selected students who complete the program, helping support their continued professional development
The UEASP builds upon the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board to support the development of essential talent.
The program is expected to debut in Fall 2026, scaling to additional Urban League communities in 2027 and beyond. As the program and the industry curriculum evolve, UEASP will keep students aligned with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in energy.
National Urban League | www.nul.org
Center for Energy Workforce Development |www.cewd.org
