In the next five to 10 years, more than 500,000 employees in the energy industry are expected to retire, according to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The average age of an employee in the energy industry is more than 50 years old. Our incoming workforce will need the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills necessary to fill these jobs. That is why it is important to help the next generation gain the skills and education they need to work in the energy industry.

This year, Itron is proud to once again partner with Scholarship America, a non-profit that helps further education through scholarships and additional support to make postsecondary success possible for all. This partnership, which began six years ago, helps support STEM students with scholarship and educational aid.

As a part of this partnership, Itron donates the funds for items that are raffled at the AGA Operations Conference and Biennial Exhibition. This year, the prizes are a Microsoft Surface Pro 4, a DJI Phantom 3 drone and two Alaska cruise tickets. The funds raised through the raffle benefit STEM recipients of the Dream Award—a renewable scholarship that students can begin receiving as a sophomore.

Itron is proud to help inspire and create the next generation of resourcefulness through this partnership.

Join us for a Facebook Live from AGA with Marian Marchese, director of strategic intelligence at Scholarship America, on Tuesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. EDT to learn more. Winner(s) will be drawn at the Itron booth (#601) on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

You can also learn more about Itron’s partnership with Scholarship America here.