Energy Workforce Lunch and Learn

The Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR) sponsored an energy workforce Lunch and Learn for engineering students to interact with leading industry professionals.

Abdelrahim Brown, Director of the AERTC and GrIDD presenting at the Energy Workforce Lunch and Learn

On November 19, 2025, in the Light Engineering building, 25 undergraduate and graduate students came to learn about careers in alternative energy, wind farm logistics and engineering, and low carbon energy including hydrogen. The event was co-hosted by the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) and Center for Grid Innovation Development and Deployment (GrIDD).

Kenny Hass, PE, Senior Offshore WTG Engineer, LV and MECH of Ørsted, presenting at the Energy Workforce Lunch and Learn

After presentations on applications of engineering skills to tangible energy projects were made, the students were given the opportunity to network with the speakers, including:

• Abdelrahim Brown, Director, AERTC and Director, GrIDD - View Abdelrahim Brown's Presentation
• Kenny Hass, PE, Senior Offshore WTG Engineer, LV and MECH, Ørsted - View Kenny Hass's Presentation
• Christopher A. Cavanagh, PE, Engineering Manager, Low Carbon Energy, National Grid - View Christopher Cavanagh's Presentation

The speakers discussed the current work environments, and future opportunities in the
evolving energy workforce. Students were very interested in exploring opportunities
through the SPIR program and the AERTC.

Student feedback on the event included:
“I think the presentations given by the speakers were great. The only thing I would like
to add is that most students get excited and want to connect for job and internship
opportunities so having more insight about that would be nice.”

“I'd love to have a copy of the slides from the speakers afterwards or some sort of
summary with all the organizations and links mentioned during the Lunch and Learn, but
the material covered was really intriguing and helpful. If there could be some sort of
follow up or guidance made available with the AERTC for tours, upcoming events or
how to actually get involved with them moving forward that would be great too.”