UNF, JEA and Miller Electric partner on workforce development in renewable energy sector
A group of early-career apprentices and undergraduate electrical engineering students just completed the University of North Florida’s first workforce development program aimed at filling the growing demand for skilled professionals in the clean and renewable energy sector.
JEA, the city’s public utility, and Miller Electric Company joined forces with UNF to create the Educational Microgrid for Enhancing Renewable Growth and Education — EMERGE. The first cohort spent one day a week over an eight week period at the JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab on UNF’s campus, preparing to step into high-demand jobs in the field of clean and renewable energy.
UNF President Moez Limayem emphasized the transformative power of education to workforce development.
“At UNF, we believe workforce development is not just a strategic priority, but imperative to the evolving needs of our region,” said Limayem. “We empower and prepare our students for high-quality and fulfilling careers that match the demands of today’s workforce.”
The program was funded by a nearly $445,000 grant awarded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Dr. James Fletcher, associate professor in the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction and director of the Clean and Renewable Energy Lab at UNF, said the program will prepare students for the clean and renewable energy sector, particularly electricians.
“This training helps equip the next generation of energy leaders with hands-on experience in microgrid systems and renewable technologies,” said Fletcher. “By the end of the program, we’ve not only given the students a sense of empowerment to reduce carbon footprints, but we’ve enhanced their careers and created new jobs.”
This summer’s cohort concluded at the end of July and included six students – three UNF undergraduate electrical engineering students and three early-career apprentices from both Miller Electric and JEA. The two-year training program offers professional growth opportunities and provides internships to early-career electricians and high school students. The next cohort is slated to begin Summer 2026 and will include ten early career apprentices and six high school students interested in exploring opportunities in the rapidly expanding energy sector.
“The EMERGE curriculum blends theory and practice,” said Dr. Ankush, one of the two postdoctoral associates and leaders of the EMERGE program. “Students learn first-hand state-of-the-art technologies in the energy sector and how to integrate them together to make microgrid more resilient.”
“EMERGE is not just about job training, we’re building a workforce ready to lead the transition to a sustainable future,” said Dr. Sumit Raj, the second postdoctoral associate.
Sharpening Skills, Offering Solutions
One aspect of the EMERGE training program is the weekly guest lectures, where industry professionals, engineers and sustainability experts share real-world experiences with the group. The lectures became a highlight for the first group, deepening their understanding of their training.
Kevin Pate, an assistant project manager with Miller Electric, is one of the students in the first cohort. He said the program sharpened his technical skills and reshaped his approach to client and customer interactions.
“I work with estimating and design builds with customers, and because of this program, I learned to think and plan ahead to anticipate the needs in advance and offer solutions before problems arise,” said Pate. “The combination of lecturing and hands-on training helped me retain the information better.”
Pate added that the training exposed him to innovative techniques and industry best practices that directly translate into more efficiency on the job, which translates into better customer satisfaction.
UNF student Katie West, a rising junior majoring in electrical engineering, said the lectures were the most valuable part of the program for her.
“Hearing from industry experts and then taking what they said and applying it in the lab was very helpful in understanding the material,” West said.
JEA managing director and CEO Vickie Cavey said building a skilled workforce is essential to JEA’s ability to evolve with next-generation technologies.
“EMERGE is an important step in preparing future talent for the real-world demands of a modern grid,” said Cavey. “The curriculum has been shaped with direct alignment to JEA’s and Miller Electric’s operational demands, from system diagnostics and controls to grid interoperability awareness to communication and accountability.”
One way Miller Electric ensures it’s an “employer of choice,” is in part, by building upon its current talent to meet the needs of the ever-growing sector, said Henry Brown, CEO of Miller Electric Company.
“The EMERGE curriculum helps Miller Electric keep its competitiveness amongst its peers,” said Brown. “Our customers are consistently looking for new and better energy and technology solutions, and the EMERGE program at UNF provides training that we’re unable to obtain in our company's or our union’s apprenticeship programs.”
As graduates of the first EMERGE cohort, the participants advanced their knowledge and expertise, demonstrating enhanced leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and a commitment to driving innovation and excellence within their respective roles.
The research reported in this article was supported by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under award number: SCON-10001360. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Gulf Research Program or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.