An association representing oil and natural gas producers is expanding a program aimed at high school students to include careers in renewable energy, the industry news site Rigzone reported.

The Virtual Exploring Energy Program is produced by the Independent Petroleum Association of America's Energy Workforce Education Center. It allows students to learn about energy-sector careers through video showcases, virtual tours and virtual visits to classrooms by industry professionals, according to Rigzone. It is free for students and educators.

The program is in its second year, but this time around IPAA expanded its scope and is working with renewable energy companies to inform students about a wider range of energy careers, Barry Russell, CEO of IPAA and co-chair of the IPAA Energy Workforce Education Advisory Board, said in a statement.

"We believe that access to this information should be free and encourage a variety of incentives for educators and students to get involved," Russell said.

More than 4,000 students in 12 states and territories participated in the Virtual Exploring Energy Program during its first year. This time around, IPAA has heard from teachers in several other states about offering the program in their classrooms.

More information about the program is available on the Energy Workforce Education Center's website.

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