First AC Residents Graduate from Energy Infrastructure Workforce Program

City of Atlantic City and Atlantic City Electric workforce development program providing city residents with a new pathway to careers in energy

On Feb 3, 2023

The first cohort of 26 Atlantic City residents has graduated from the 14-week Atlantic City Infrastructure Program (ACIP), an energy workforce training program announced in September 2022 by the city and Atlantic City Electric. The graduation celebration was held at Stockton University’s Atlantic City Academic Center.

The program provides city residents a path to careers in the energy field, with a job opportunity for every program graduate with Atlantic City Electric or one of the company’s contractors of choice. The program focuses on members from the under-resourced population in Atlantic City, enabling participants to gain utility training and work-ready skills to prepare them for promising careers in the energy field.

“I was looking for a change of direction in my life and when I heard about this program, I thought this would be a great opportunity for myself,” said Lamont Carson, graduate of the cohort. “I’ve learned a lot from being a part of this program. One thing I’ve learned is to always challenge yourself because if you don’t, you’re cheating yourself!”

“Through this program, these individuals were given an opportunity they may not have otherwise had to better their lives, and they grabbed the bull by the horn,” said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. “This was an intense course that required hard work and dedication on their end, and it makes me proud to see them be able to celebrate their accomplishments. They are going on to bigger and better things because of ACIP, and we are looking forward to another successful cohort this year through our continued partnership with Pepco Holdings and Atlantic City Electric.”

“Programs like ACIP enable us to partner with organizations that understand, and are embedded in, the local community to expand opportunities and create a robust pipeline of talent from the communities we serve,” said Tyler Anthony, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. “I look forward to our continued work with the City of Atlantic City and bringing forward impactful programs and opportunities that drive real social equity for the residents of Atlantic City. I am extremely proud of this first cohort. They are blazing a trail for the graduating classes for years to come.”

The Atlantic City Infrastructure Program builds on a broader six-year, $6.5 million South Jersey Workforce Development Program that Atlantic City Electric launched in 2018 in partnership with seven South Jersey Community Colleges and Workforce Development Boards and builds upon Mayor Small’s vision to provide Atlantic City residents the tools they need to build successful careers and thrive in the workplace.

With a goal of providing every graduate a job opportunity with Atlantic City Electric or one of the company’s contractors of choice, the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program is a leading example of a corporate-community partnership that helps educate the state’s future energy workforce, resulting in positive impact on the livelihoods of individuals and families in Atlantic City while supporting the advancement of South Jersey’s economy.

“Today we’re not only celebrating a graduation, we’re celebrating the beginning of many exciting new careers,” said Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, commissioner of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “We are building a clean energy economy from the ground up. The state is taking advantage of our prime coastal location and leading by example to a future where clean energy is just called energy.”

“The ACIP graduating class will be the inspiration for other Atlantic City residents to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the utility industry,” said Fran Kuhn, executive director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board. “The Workforce Development Board is proud to partner with Atlantic City Electric and Atlantic City to create a new training environment that develops the necessary skills to be a productive member of the energy workforce. This program has allowed individuals to recognize their full potential, realize their dreams are achievable and look forward to future accomplishments.”

Participants in the Atlantic City Infrastructure Program began the 14-week program on November 1, 2022, attending sessions two days per week for three hours each. Training took place at the Carnegie Library Center in Atlantic City and at the Atlantic City Electric utility training yard located at the Anthony “Tony” Canale Training Center in Egg Harbor Township. Program education was provided by Atlantic Cape Community College in partnership with the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board. The program will continue to take place twice a year.

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