CHARLOTTE – The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded more than $2.8 million in support of workforce development programs that focus on the energy sector.

Thus far, the grant funds include more than $1.4 million to 22 community colleges in the Duke Energy service areas tied to the utility’s future workforce projection for skilled lineworkers, according to a statement.

A $500,000 grant was made to the Central Piedmont Community College, which is based in Charlotte, and there were 10 additional community colleges in North Carolina that received $25,000 awards, including Durham Technical Community College.

“Duke Energy’s support will allow Durham Tech to deepen its recruitment efforts to build a diverse talent pipeline for electric line technician jobs and make the needed repairs and replacements of critical equipment as we enroll our 12th cohort of students,” said JB Buxton, the president of Durham Technical Community College. “With Duke Energy’s continued partnership, we are able to connect people to good jobs and true economic opportunity.”

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What the funds are for

The funds will be used primarily “for diversity recruitment, instructor stipends, equipment, materials and program marketing,” according to a statement from the utility.

“Duke Energy is committed to creating access to education and workforce development for people in the communities where we live and work,” said Amy Strecker, Duke Energy Foundation president. “Skilled lineworkers maintain our infrastructure, allowing our communities to thrive. Equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge required to perform utility line work prepares them for this rewarding career.”

Duke Energy is in the midst of what it calls an “ambitious clean energy transition.”

The utility has planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Carolinas Carbon Plan released in May 2022.

Duke Energy noted in a statement that the utility will continue to experience demand for a skilled workforce, and that such demand is rapidly growing.

“Lineworkers play an integral role in a more efficient, more reliable digital grid,” a statement notes.  “The company’s investment into lineworker training programs and coordination with community colleges will result in a more diverse talent pipeline for the utility industry.”

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