Tucson Electric Power is sponsoring scholarships for University of Arizona and Pima Community College students who are interested in electric energy jobs.
UA and Pima students can apply for scholarships between $1,000 and $3,000 each from the RMEL Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in the utility industry.
The deadline is Feb. 27 to apply for scholarships. TEP formed a partnership with the foundation to provide $6,000 in scholarships this year.
“This is a way to attract students to join the energy industry and help with workforce development in our community,” said Susan Gray, TEP Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Gray serves on the board of RMEL, the trade association tied to the foundation.
The foundation offers scholarships to students who are interested in a wide variety of jobs in the industry, from professional to craft, including engineering, accounting, human resources, information technology and communications, said Richard Putnicki, the foundation’s Executive Director.
“Many students are not aware of the career opportunities that our industry provides,” Putnicki said. “Introducing them to a possible scholarship, in many cases, is their first exposure to the industry.”
Recipients also have access to employees at the companies that sponsor the scholarships, Putnicki said.
Nationally, the foundation has awarded 43 scholarships each year for the past two years. Since the scholarships began in 2001, the foundation has given 319 scholarships, totaling nearly $750,000.
(RMEL previously was the acronym for Rocky Mountain Electrical League.)
To find out more and to apply, visit the RMEL Foundation’s scholarship website.
