The RTC Foundation sat down with Rachel Benner, the Executive Director of the PSE Foundation, for an interview.

What is your industry’s most pressing workforce needs?

Some of the most pressing workforce needs in the energy sector are for technical, skilled, hands-on personnel to maintain the safety, reliability and resilience of energy supply as well as professionals who focus on clean energy innovation and grid modernization.  Continuing growth in energy demand requires new infrastructure to be constructed and maintained along with skilled support roles that enable those efforts.  Retirement rates are high and retaining talent with lived expertise is critical. The need goes beyond skilled trades in electric or gas functions extending to all corporate areas including project management, AI, machine learning, power-system engineers, public policy, regulatory and compliance, etc.

What inspired you to initiate a statewide scholarship and how did RTC get on your radar as the means to launch your idea?

I believe some of the key barriers to education are awareness, access and affordability.  As I mentioned above, education is a powerful driver of economic mobility, and Powerful Scholars is designed to open doors for students across our local communities. Our program expands access to STEM education through annual scholarships hosted by every accredited and technical college in Washington for first generation college students and/or past or present recipients of foster care seeking a professional degree or skilled-trade certification in STEM.

We partnered community and technical colleges to do this because they help bridge the gap both in local workforce development initiatives and in training the next generation of America’s workforce with direct private, corporate, and public partnership resulting in job-ready talent. Our goal in partnering with organizations like RTC, is helping students overcome financial barriers, so they can focus on pursuing living-wage careers, ideally across Washington to build stable futures, contribute to generational wealth and strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline of skilled workers.

What has been your favorite outcome or result so far with Power Scholars program?

That every scholarship we’ve issued so far has been utilized by local students pursuing their goals! Then, the conversation it generates – sharing the need of higher education for the future workforce (and the current one!), the existing gaps, the goal of creating stronger communities and the inspiring stories of students who are building their futures. It’s all about supporting that momentum in their career ambitions, helping them stay the course, and the ability to encourage other industries to build programs like ours to increase opportunities for individuals through partnership.  Then, if we’re lucky, we get to hire and work with these students helping them achieve their goals both professionally and personally.

What would you tell an RTC graduate about career mobility and opportunities with Puget Sound Energy?

Begin your career at Puget Sound Energy! PSE is undergoing the most significant transformation in our history as we strive to meet Washington state’s clean energy laws—some of the most ambitious in the nation—and deliver on our customers’ expectations for energy that is cleaner as well as safe and reliable.

We’re looking for innovative, forward-thinking students and new graduates who are ready to create a better tomorrow for our planet. We’ve been safely and reliability serving communities since 1873 with jobs across corporate services, crafts and skilled trades, information technology, engineering and project management, customer products and services, energy supply and more.

At PSE, you’re part of a company that believes we’re better because you’re here and that you deserve the benefits and perks that are here for you. PSE offers a total compensation package including competitive pay, comprehensive healthcare, incentives, a pension and/or 401k retirement contribution matching, generous and flexible paid time off (PTO), training and professional development opportunities and tuition reimbursement. Best of all, PSE is located all throughout the Puget Sound region, and you can work at one of our locations throughout the service area.

What does the Powerful Scholars program look like in five to ten years?

It’s our intent that the Powerful Scholars Scholarship continues to focus on expanding access to STEM education and career pathways for local students across the state of Washington. We want to see it grow to serve more students, provide opportunities to engage with our workforce and support the region’s economic vitality – with Powerful Scholars, we’ll have Powerful Futures.

Summarize your company’s history, its values and community engagement.

Puget Sound Energy: For more than 150 years, PSE has proudly fueled the growth of local communities in one of the most innovative regions in the world – we’ve powered generations, for generations. Now, we’re undergoing the most significant transformation in our history as we strive to meet Washington state’s clean energy laws and our customers’ growing energy needs. We’re leading the charge to build a smarter, stronger energy system that will serve our customers with safe and reliable energy for generations to come.

The PSE Foundation invests in people, programs, and organizations working to strengthen communities where PSE operates. Our funding focuses on three core impact areas that address both immediate needs and long-term resilience. Together, these investments reduce burdens today while building stronger, more resilient communities for the future.

Reducing Household Burdens

Stability is the foundation of opportunity.

We support nonprofits facing urgent pressures who serve individuals and families in areas such as food security, housing stability, senior and veteran wellbeing, and support for Tribal communities. When basic needs are met, families can move forward — not just get by.

Education & Workforce Pathways

Powerful Scholars. Powerful Futures.

We invest in STEM education, youth development, and career pathways that prepare students for dynamic careers across the energy sector. Education unlocks opportunity, fueling long-term economic mobility.

Climate Resiliency & Community Safety

Prepared Communities are Strong Communities.

We invest in disaster preparedness, emergency response capacity, and environmental protection to help communities better withstand climate impacts and emergencies. Resiliency reduces risk, protects families, and strengthens communities long-term. Through competitive and foundation grants, we support disaster response, preparedness education, wildfire mitigation, environmental protection, and community safety initiatives.