As part of its ongoing commitment to educate and prepare students today for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers of tomorrow, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is hosting an Energy Academy summer internship program for 20 Independence High School students and 20 students from other Bakersfield area high schools.

These Bakersfield students have learned about PG&E's vision and values, safety culture, and gain hands-on experience within the company's local customer care, fleet, gas and electric operations.

The four-week program began with an orientation and an introduction to gas and electric safety and training. Throughout the course of the internship, students were offered multiple certification opportunities, including CPR certification, OSHA-10, safety training and Flagging for Construction Safety.

The remaining three weeks of the program focused on career development and on the job training. This week, students have been in the field shadowing PG&E employees on the job.

"PG&E's Energy Academy Internship Program allows local students interested in our field an opportunity to actually see, feel, and understand what we do.," said Denise Newton, Senior Manager, PG&E's Kern Division Leadership Team. "We are proud to further enhance their education by allowing these students to have hands-on real work experience."

Students also learned a series of soft skills including workplace etiquette, interview skills and resume development. The internship participants have also received a stipend for their participation in the four-week program.

The Energy Academy program at Independence High School is one of four programs in Northern and Central California funded by PG&E. The others are in Fresno, Sacramento, and Stockton.