Duke Energy Grants $9 Lakh to Support Job Training Programs in North Carolina

Duke Energy, a leading energy company in the US, awarded USD 903,828 in grants to support apprenticeship job training programs at 8 community colleges in North Carolina.

Moreover, this grant is in line with its 2017 commitment to fund USD 5 million in apprenticeship programs at community colleges across the state.

Commenting on the development, Peter Hans, president of the NC Community College System, said that “we are so grateful for Duke Energy’s support of our apprenticeship programs. Students in the programs receive hands-on learning while earning a paycheck and gaining specialized skills. Apprenticeships have increased rapidly at community colleges because employers recognize their value in building the workforce of the future.”

Since 2004, the company had provided an aggregate of USD 45 million in funding to North Carolina community colleges.

However, these grants represented the 6th and the last round of funding in the company’s USD 5 million apprenticeship grant program. Moreover, with this program, 23 community colleges have received funding, connecting over 2,800 student participants across 36 North Carolina counties with high-value job opportunities.

The company is one of the largest energy holding companies in the US and employs 29,000 people. It is having an electric generating capacity of 51,000 MW via its regulated utilities and 2,300 MW via its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

“North Carolina’s community colleges are essential to training the workforce that businesses rely on. As we partner to bring more companies to North Carolina and build a smarter energy future, community colleges are critical to upgrade workforce skills to meet new job demands,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president.

Meanwhile, this apprenticeship grant program was administered by North Carolina Community Foundation and Foundation For The Carolinas, and award decisions were made by a committee of representatives from the company, North Carolina Community College System and North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Recently, Duke Energy Florida (DEF), a subsidiary of Duke Energy, has announced that it has filed the locations of its three newest solar power plants, which will provide cleaner, smarter energy solutions to benefit Florida customers.