The Duke Energy Foundation has given Central Piedmont Community College a grant of $48,000 to support the college's utility line worker program.

The grant is part of $350,000 the Duke Energy Foundation is providing to support 11 community colleges across North Carolina working to create a pipeline of skilled line workers that will help meet the energy industry's future workforce needs. With this additional funding, the Foundation has awarded more than $6.7 million over the past five years in support of workforce development programs with a focus on the energy sector.

"Central Piedmont Community College thanks the Duke Energy Foundation for its investment in Central Piedmont's utility line worker program," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. "The generous grant will benefit our students directly by helping them purchase the equipment and materials they need to start the program. We appreciate the Duke Energy Foundation's support and partnership as the college works to train individuals in a high-skills, high-demand field."

As Duke Energy (DUK NYSE) executes its clean energy transition, the need for a skilled workforce is growing rapidly. Line workers play an integral role in a more efficient, more reliable digital grid. The company's investment into line worker training programs and coordination with community colleges will result in a more diverse talent pipeline for the utility industry.

"Given North Carolina's tremendous growth, line workers are essential to strengthening our infrastructure and allowing our communities to thrive," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "These grants are one way we can create access to workforce development opportunities across the state, helping ensure our workforce diversity reflects the communities we serve, live and work in."

Central Piedmont announced the creation of its line worker program in late 2022 and began conducting classes and training in late-July 2023. Duke Energy provided a start-up boost by giving the college a grant of $500,000. The Pike Corporation also helped by providing much needed equipment to establish the program at the college's Harper Campus.

The program's first class graduated on Dec. 15. The six new graduates will help meet a growing need in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region for well-trained, highly skilled utility line workers. As Central Piedmont continues to grow the program, its goal will be to produce more than 100 graduates every 12 months.

As part of the program, students undertake a rigorous curriculum and achieve a 580-hour academic and field training goal. Students who complete the 16-week program will be able to enter the workforce quickly and will have earned multiple, specialized industry training credentials, including OSHA, CPR, Arc Flash Safety for Utilities, Bucket Truck Rescue, Class A CDL License, Pole Top Rescue, and Work Zone Flagger.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates about 23,000 openings for line installers and repairers will be available each year, on average, over the next decade. With this trend in mind, the college, Duke Energy and Pike have partnered to develop a pipeline of diverse, skilled, and talented utility line workers by investing in the education and career development of local, Mecklenburg County citizens.

Visit the college website for more information about the utility line worker program at Central Piedmont, or call 704.330.4223.

Central Piedmont Community College graduated and celebrated the first class in its new utility line worker program at a Dec. 15 ceremony, held at the Harper Campus, in Charlotte. The graduates will help meet a growing need in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region for well-trained, highly skilled utility line workers.

The first class of utility line workers from Central Piedmont is comprised of five males and one female Kendall Brathwaite, Fernando Cediel, Andrele Hilaire, Caleb Malin, Quaron Potts, and Brady Powell. Speakers during the graduation ceremony included Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont President; Stephen Gerhardt, senior program developer, and Powell, who offered student remarks.

Central Piedmont announced the creation of the program in late 2022 and began conducting classes and training in late-July 2023. Duke Energy provided a start-up boost by giving the college a grant of $500,000. The Pike Corporation also helped by providing much needed equipment to establish the program at the college's Harper Campus.

The college is using the Duke Energy grant to provide instructional support and purchase equipment, materials and supplies needed to sustain the program. The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it was providing the college a grant of $48,000 to further support the effort. As Central Piedmont continues to grow the program, its goal will be to produce more than 100 graduates every 12 months.

As part of the program, students undertake a rigorous curriculum and achieve a 580-hour academic and field training goal. Students who complete the 16-week program will be able to enter the workforce quickly and will have earned multiple, specialized industry training credentials, including OSHA, CPR, Arc Flash Safety for Utilities, Bucket Truck Rescue, Class A CDL License, Pole Top Rescue, and Work Zone Flagger.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates about 23,000 openings for line installers and repairers will be available each year, on average, over the next decade. With this trend in mind, the college, Duke Energy and Pike have partnered to develop a pipeline of diverse, skilled, and talented utility line workers by investing in the education and career development of local, Mecklenburg County citizens.

See the college website for more information about the utility line worker program at Central Piedmont, or call 704.330.4223.

Central Piedmont Community College will soon become an official Hyundai training provider as part of the Hyundai Performance Institute Technician Student Program. Central Piedmont will launch the curriculum that prepares students to work as Hyundai technicians in early 2024.

Students in Central Piedmont's two-year associate-degree program in Automotive Systems Technology will be able to choose the Hyundai track that includes both express and certified technician pathways. Students who complete the program will be assigned to a Hyundai/Genesis dealership, where they will become fully certified Hyundai service technicians.

Central Piedmont's Hyundai Performance Institute Technician Student Program will be based at the Levine Campus, Matthews. Central Piedmont is one of about 120 community colleges across the United States partnering with Hyundai to offer the specialized program. There are nine Hyundai/Genesis dealerships within the greater Charlotte area.

For more information about Central Piedmont's Automotive Systems Technology program, including degree, diploma and certificate tracks, as well as other programs within the college's Transportation Systems division, visit the college website or email Christopher Facente.

Several hundred students expected to 'march,' receive their college credentials

Central Piedmont Community College will hold its 2023 winter commencement on Thursday, Dec. 14, in Charlotte. Approximately 630 students are expected to "march" and receive their college credentials during the morning ceremony. More than 1,380 students are eligible to graduate. The college invites media representatives to cover the celebration.

Yamilth Navarrete, a 2023 associate degree candidate in Construction Management Technology, will address her peers by delivering the commencement address. It has become Central Piedmont's tradition to have graduating students serve as commencement keynote speakers.

The ceremony will mark only the second time Central Piedmont has held a winter graduation. The college hosted its first-ever December commencement in 2022 to honor its graduates who completed their programs during the summer and fall semesters. The addition of a winter ceremony allows the college to celebrate its summer and fall graduates in the same timely way as its spring graduates.

Ceremony Details

Date: Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at 10 a.m.

Location: Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 Independence Blvd., Charlotte, N.C., with free parking in the coliseum lot.

Traffic Alert: Entering the coliseum might be slowed due to heavy traffic and security screening. Please plan accordingly. For more information about Central Piedmont's graduation ceremonies, please call 704.330.6660.