IGS Energy Invests in Job-Training Program for Low-Income, High Potential Young Adults in Columbus

Dublin, OH, April 21, 2017 – IGS Energy has announced its support of i.c.stars, a 15-year-old social enterprise based in Chicago that launched a local Columbus-area training program beginning in November. The organization provides information technology training to low-income young adults who lack access to education and employment but demonstrate potential for success in the business world.

i.c.stars' impact in the community.

i.c.stars provides a 24-week, immersive IT training program for students, and corporations can get involved through mentoring and providing real-world projects. According to i.c.stars, average income for students entering the program is $9,900 per year. A year after successfully completing the program, the average income jumps to $57,000.

IGS Energy serves as the program’s first project sponsor.

As part of the program, i.c.stars students were tasked with working on a technology project designed to help address a real-world challenge for the energy company. Jen Bowden, director of community investment at IGS Energy, said, “The benefits of this partnership are really two-fold. We see this as an opportunity to invest in young adults and help them to ultimately be successful in life. There’s also a talent acquisition play. As the project sponsor, we get to work with the program participants frequently and determine who might be a good fit with us here at IGS Energy.” In addition, IGS Energy employees have served as mentors and content experts throughout the program. i.c.stars students also spent time at IGS Energy, learning the “soft skills” of business, such as problem-solving and collaboration.

“We saw this partnership with i.c.stars as an opportunity to give back to our community and change lives for the better. Each member of the i.c.stars team has gained a tremendous amount of technical knowledge and experience that will serve them well as they each prepare to take the next step in their career,” - Adam Luck, IT infrastructure manager

About the IGS Family of Companies

With over 25 years of experience in the energy industry, the IGS family of companies provides the following to over one million customers across the country: natural gas, electricity, and home protection products; power generation solutions off the grid; clean, domestic alternative fueling options; and solar solutions. The company focuses on empowering consumers to make choices that best fit their energy needs. Their community investment program is called IGS Impact which provides employees opportunities to get involved with causes that are meaningful to the company and to them personally.

About Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation (i.c.stars)

Formed in 1998, Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation (i.c.stars) is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization and social enterprise that prepares young adults for technology careers and community leadership. Using project-based learning and full-immersion teaching, i.c.stars has trained more than 360 individuals in Chicago, and places 90 percent of qualified graduates in jobs. Participants see their annual earnings increase by an average of 450 percent as a result of the program. In 2016, i.c.stars launched an affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, and created Enterprise Next, a lean startup incubator to jumpstart alumni businesses. Learn more at: www.icstars.org.