BATON ROUGE, La. – Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL), in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Foundation and YouthForce NOLA, announced an initiative to expand career pathways and work-based learning opportunities for Louisiana students.

“Louisiana has no lack of extraordinary careers in our energy industry, with multiple pathways for lifelong learning and wealth generation,” said Lacy McManus, FUEL’s Director of Workforce Development. “To ensure the next generation of Louisiana talent understands the jobs available today — and the opportunities to create next-generation energy innovations — we need strategic partners thoughtfully connecting young people to energy employers. This is why FUEL is thrilled to support this partnership with the LABI Foundation and Youth Force NOLA over the next three years. Bringing the best-in-class workforce partners to this pressing talent challenge is core to FUEL’s success and the health of Louisiana’s energy sector.”

The LABI Foundation will work with energy employers and industry partners to strengthen Louisiana’s future energy talent pipeline by expanding work-based learning opportunities for high school students, giving them meaningful, industry-connected career exposure. Interested employers and partners can participate by offering internships, mentorship, and industry exposure through student outreach and networking events supported by the LABI Foundation.

“Louisiana’s energy future depends on the talent we develop today,” said Will Green, LABI’s President and CEO. “By connecting students with the employers driving innovation across our state, we’re creating stronger pathways from the classroom to rewarding careers. This partnership helps ensure Louisiana businesses have the skilled workforce they need to grow, while giving the next generation every opportunity to succeed.”

YouthForce NOLA is building a network of school districts and communities to prepare Louisiana students for future careers in energy. School districts and communities can get involved by increasing access to work-based learning opportunities and Industry-Based Credentials, strengthening connections between education and industry, and expanding energy sector career exploration opportunities.

“By creating opportunities for students to earn valuable industry-based credentials and gain relevant work-based learning through experiences like internships, we are preparing young people to thrive in one of Louisiana’s strongest industries,” said Cate Swinburn, YouthForce NOLA’s President and CEO. “When high schoolers graduate with the technical and soft skills needed for one of the varying career paths in the energy industry, they are setting themselves up for success in work and life. We are thrilled to be working alongside FUEL and the LABI Foundation to make sure our students are receiving the experience they need now so that they can build meaningful, future careers in Louisiana’s energy industry.”

This partnership builds on FUEL’s goal to prepare students for careers in the evolving energy technology and innovation market. To get involved, visit https://fuelouisiana.org/future-workforce-intake.

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About FUEL

Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) brings together universities, community and technical colleges, state agencies, and industry and capital partners to drive high impact technology development and innovation. Supported by funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program and Louisiana Economic Development, FUEL strengthens Louisiana’s energy innovation ecosystem through use-inspired research and development, workforce development, and technology commercialization. Together, FUEL and its partners are advancing our nation’s capacity for energy innovation by fueling the future of energy in Louisiana, for the world. For more information, visit fuelouisiana.org.

About the LABI Foundation

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) Foundation is dedicated to championing businesses and the principles of free enterprise by expanding education and workforce opportunities within communities across Louisiana. For more information, visit labi.org.

About YouthForce NOLA

YouthForce NOLA fuels a movement to equip young people to graduate high school on a path to career success. The nonprofit connects students with educators, business leaders, and community partners to provide career-connected learning. Through learning experiences such as internships, work-based learning, and technical training, young people graduate high school ready to fulfill their potential in work and life. For more information, visit youthforcenola.org.