NCC Receives Workforce Development Grant from Duke Energy
From left, Nash Community College President Dr. Bill Carver, Grant Writer and Principal Investigator Melanie Townsend, Vice President of Advancement and NCC Foundation Executive Director Pam Ballew, Duke Energy Community Relations Manager and NCC Foundation Board Member Tanya Evans, NCC Foundation Board Vice President and Campaign Chair Robyn Perkerson and NCC Foundation Board President Kim Sutton.
Nash Community College (NCC) is the recipient of a $150,000 Workforce Development grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program driving simulator and the supplies necessary for implementation, including software.
“Attrition in the utility industry, resulting from retirement, has increased the urgency for NCC to train students in Electric Line Construction Technology. Federal Motor Carrier guidelines have recently been issued that could require all CDL holders to receive additional operation training. The new driving simulator and utility truck, along with the development of new training modules will aid NCC in responding to industry changes,” NCC President Dr. Bill Carver said.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the utilities industry will need to expand their workforces by 30 percent by 2022. This has resulted in industry-wide efforts to promote entry, training, development, and ultimately retention of workers. At the same time, the entire transportation industry is being impacted by recently issued Federal Motor Carrier guidelines. And, the local area will soon become home to a new CSX intermodal site, creating hundreds of transportation-related jobs and careers. NCC is working to prepare a highly skilled, technologically advanced, safety and productive workforce.
NCC has long and successful partnerships with some of the industry’s largest and most successful companies. In response to the needs of Duke Energy and sub-contractor partners, the College is working to provide state-of-the-art industry training and education by adding technology ready equipment.
The 16-week Electric Line Construction Technology Academy prepares graduates for entry-level careers in the electrical utility field and is the first step towards the Electric Line Construction Technology diploma and degree. The Academy accelerates training leading to the Third Class Line Construction Technology Certificate. In addition, NCC has been a leader in commercial vehicle driver education for the last decade and has trained close to 1,000 CDL drivers.
NCC will use the driving simulator to train drivers for professional trucking and utility companies. Technology-based learning will prepare the students for job conditions, reducing the behind-the-wheel learning curve. This will help to enhance NCC’s programs by focusing on reinforcing the knowledge, skills, and behavior of professional drivers.
“It is important to us to invest in people – in a highly-skilled workforce – to move our industry and our state forward,” said Tanya Evans, district manager for Duke Energy. “Duke Energy is proud to support this program led by Nash Community College which will strengthen the pipeline of workers who will build a smarter energy future in North Carolina.”
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live, work and learn. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://www.duke-energy.
