NCBCE will use more than $999,000 to extend summer academies into eastern North Carolina and broaden statewide career pathways.
The Siemens Foundation announced that Careers Electric, in partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), was selected for BlackRock Future Builders’ first national request for proposals. NCBCE was one of 15 workforce initiatives selected from more than 1,000 applications and received a grant of more than $999,000. The funding will support the expansion of the Careers Electric Summer Academy model into eastern North Carolina, where demand for electrical workers and training capacity are significant. It will also support the expansion of Summer Academy career pathways for students across North Carolina.
Careers Electric Summer Academies are designed to reduce barriers to participation while introducing students to careers in the electrical field. Community colleges and high schools across North Carolina host the academies, where students receive hands-on technical instruction, industry-recognized credentials, college credit opportunities and work-based learning experiences. Students are paid and registered as pre-apprentices during the program.
NCBCE is a delivery partner of the Careers Electric Coalition, which aims to help develop 25,000 skilled electrical workers in the United States during its first 10 years.
Demand for skilled electrical workers is increasing as electrification expands across energy, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure. Careers Electric is a national initiative that provides students and workers with training for these industries. Its coalition includes industry employers, trade associations, workforce development organizations, labor groups and philanthropic organizations.
Careers Electric grantee partners include NCBCE, Wake Technical Community College, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Community College Foundation and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program. The coalition began in North Carolina and plans to support the expansion of the workforce training model in other locations.
To learn more about the Careers Electric initiative or to join the coalition, visit CareersElectric.com.
