St. Paul, Minnesota — State Representative John Ward (DFL – Baxter) was recently invited by the Minnesota High Tech Association to visit Hunt Utilities Group (HUG) and the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL), and see the SciTechsperience Internship Program in action in Pine River, Minnesota. Rep. Ward was joined by Rep. John Persell (DFL – Bemidji) and Sen. Carrie Ruud (R – Breezy Point).
The HUG tour, led by HUG owners Paul, Lynn and Ryan Hunt, along with HUG Chief Operating Officer Bob McLean, featured HUG’s research on LENR (low energy nuclear reaction). This research is being conducted in part by four interns hired through MHTA’s SciTechsperience Internship Program in 2012 and 2013.
“For Minnesota to be economically successful, we need a high-quality and technologically advanced workforce,” said Rep. Ward. “These internships are great example of how we can get there and encourage our interested young people to pursue careers in these important fields.”
“Today’s youth are making tomorrow’s energy choices, so it is imperative that we provide service learning and internship opportunities in the clean energy sector,” added Jason Edens, Founding Director of the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance. “We’re proud to do so at the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance.”
The new state budget included an $850,000 investment in the SciTechsperience Internship Program. This investment allows MHTA to build on the success of the program’s first two years by offering 225 matching stipends to small and medium sized high tech companies that help cover the cost of an intern’s wages. As part of this growth, MHTA is expanding its outreach efforts with women and minority students, both underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, and companies in Greater Minnesota.
Rep. Ward encourages constituents to contact him with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Ward can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or by email at rep.john.ward@house.mn.
For more information about the SciTechsperience Internship Program, please contact Program Coordinator Becky Siekmeier at beckys@mhta.org.