EXCELERATE Energy Inc has officially welcomed its first cohort of engineering interns for 2025, marking the continuation of the signature summer internship run by New Fortress Energy which Excelerate acquired earlier this year.

Now in its fifth year, the internship offers top engineering students from The University of the West Indies (The UWI), University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) valuable hands-on training across Excelerate’s key operations.

The programme underscores the company’s continued commitment to advancing education and workforce readiness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), in alignment with Jamaica’s national goals for innovation and sustainable development.

Twelve students took up their placements on June 2, with a second group set to join in mid-July. Interns are embedded at Excelerate’s core LNG facilities, including the Old Harbour Terminal (onshore and offshore), Montego Bay LNG Terminal, the Clarendon Combined Heat and Power (CCHP) plant, and small-scale distribution sites that serve industrial and commercial customers across the island.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon endorsed the programme.

“Excelerate’s internship programme speaks directly to the Government’s commitment to strengthen Jamaica’s STEM capacity. By offering hands-on training in critical energy infrastructure the programme gives our young people a real opportunity to apply their skills and build meaningful careers in an essential industry, making them even more marketable locally and internationally to enter the competitive world of work,” a company release quotes Morris Dixon.

With a strong emphasis on practical learning and mentorship the internship programme connects students with experienced engineers and operations professionals, giving them exposure to LNG technologies, safety protocols, energy infrastructure, and sustainable fuel applications.

“Excelerate is proud to continue this impactful programme which has provided exposure to the LNG sector for more than 120 students to date, some of whom are now employed full-time across our operations,” the release quotes Verona Carter, vice-president and general manager, Excelerate Energy – Caribbean Region.

“For us, this is more than an internship; it’s how we support Jamaica’s future engineers by offering real access, real mentorship, and real experience in the energy sector. This programme is fundamental to our commitment to economic development and nation-building,” added Carter.

Meanwhile, interns have expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work on the front lines of clean energy and apply their academic training and learning in live environments.

Aaliyah Campbell, a final-year mechatronics engineering student at CMU, said, “This experience allows me to build real world skills and see first-hand how offshore operations and safety systems work. It’s preparing me for what’s next.”

Josiah Samuel, electrical power engineering student at The UWI completing his final year of study, said, “Being assigned to Excelerate’s small-scale operations has shown me the complexity and impact of delivering LNG to industries across Jamaica. I’ve been gaining a deeper understanding of how engineering directly supports national growth. It’s been an eye-opening experience.”

Moy-Ann Reid, third-year mechanical engineering student at UTech, added, “This internship is helping me connect the dots between theory and practice. Working with Excelerate’s team has pushed me to think bigger about what’s possible in my career.”

Excelerate said it will continue hosting interns through August 22 as part of its ongoing partnership with the country’s leading universities.

“These partnerships reflect the company’s broader commitment to building a future-ready workforce, strengthening industry-academic engagement, and advancing national development through STEM education,” Excelerate said.