Engineers are the foundational builders of modern society, translating theory into practice. Energy engineers, more specifically, optimize how power is produced and consumed—quite literally keeping the lights and heat on for millions of homes and businesses. Reliability like that depends on a steady pipeline of skilled engineers entering the field.
UGI Energy Services (UGIES) currently employs 28 engineers across its divisions, but we don’t just rely on the pipeline; we actively invest in it.
Why STEM Education Matters to UGIES
Engineers are the backbone of daily operations at UGIES. They maintain infrastructure, manage assets such as our liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and pipelines across 3 states, and design systems that keep natural gas and electricity flowing reliably across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Our success depends on the talent and innovation of our engineers. Yet, qualities like this don’t simply appear overnight; they are nurtured over time through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, starting as early as elementary school. Without STEM programs, there would be no engineers to deliver safe, reliable energy. It’s also through STEM that innovation can allow us to look beyond today’s operations and toward what’s next: renewable energy.
Community Commitment
Our commitment to future engineers extends beyond company walls. We invest in the community, supporting the students who will one day enter the workforce.
Within the industry, UGIES remains engaged with organizations such as the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (GPAEE). In 2023, we hosted GPAEE members for a Fall 2023 Energy Market Overview, sharing insights on trends heading into the 2023-2024 heating season and leading a tour of our Temple LNG facility, which stores up to 15 million gallons of LNG and can liquefy up to 120,000 gallons of natural gas per day. Engagements like this help the industry share best practices, which ultimately benefits the communities we serve.
We’re equally committed to reaching the next generation of engineers directly, particularly in closing the gender gap within engineering. Each February, we participate in Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, a national initiative founded by DiscoverE in 2001 to address the underrepresentation of women in the field and show girls of all ages what a career in engineering could look like.
That same week, we take part in Engineers Week (EWeek), founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951 and now organized by DiscoverE. EWeek is dedicated to celebrating engineers worldwide while sparking interest in engineering students.
In addition to Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and EWeek, we also celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month every February. During this time, we showcase STEM career paths that students may not normally consider, including opportunities in the energy sector.
Innovation for the Next Generation
At UGIES, we believe that our investments in cutting-edge technology today help future engineers tomorrow. One investment in which we are engaged across multiple states is renewable natural gas (RNG). As part of our parent company UGI Corporation’s broader commitment, over $500 million has been invested in renewable energy.
UGIES converts waste from agriculture, landfills, and food processing into pipeline quality, green energy. The converted waste is supplied anywhere from a Cincinnati-area partnership processing food waste, to dairy manure projects across South Dakota that cut emissions while generating extra revenue for local farms. Projects like these allow for the kind of industry evolution that gives future engineers an avenue to explore, all while making the earth a better place for generations to come.
Industry innovation is only as strong as the people executing it, which is why we invest in our engineers from day one. Every engineer who joins UGIES completes a required training and development program covering design standards, regulatory compliance, and safe facility operation. Our Engineering Training Program sets a foundation that ensures new engineers are capable of safely and effectively designing and operating energy infrastructure.
Join Us in Powering the Future
Reliable energy tomorrow depends on the engineers we inspire today. That’s why our commitment to future engineers includes hands-on experience and career growth programs once someone joins the team.
If you’re an aspiring engineer, explore our internship and career opportunities we have to offer!
