Duke Energy awards workforce readiness grants

Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now

This audio file is brought to you by

0:00

0:00

Loading audio file, please wait.

Speed
1.00

• 0.25
• 0.50
• 0.75
• 1.00
• 1.25
• 1.50
• 1.75
• 2.00

The Duke Energy Foundation in Plainfield is awarding more than $330,000 to 16 organizations throughout the state. The foundation says the grants will help create a pipeline of skilled workers to meet Indiana’s workforce needs.

“Without fail, employers and community leaders I speak to in our service territory list workforce as an immediate area of focus,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “Duke Energy is committed to helping Indiana’s workers obtain the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to meet the state’s current and future labor market needs, with the ultimate goal of providing a better quality of life for the customers and communities we serve.”

Grants were awarded to the organizations listed below:

• The Arc of Indiana Foundation (statewide) – $25,000 to support postsecondary vocational training opportunities for people with disabilities through the nonprofit’s Erskine Green Training Institute.
• Area 30 Career Center (Putnam County) – $12,000 to support a new material handler/forklift operator certification training course and expand the number of Commercial Driver’s License Class B, Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician courses.
• Central Nine Career Center (Johnson County) – $45,213 to support the purchase of a pipe welding system to help high school and adult education students gain industry certification in pipe welding techniques.
• Columbus Area Chamber Foundation (Bartholomew County) – $10,000 to support local startups and entrepreneurs through coaching, education and training.
• The Dimension Mill (Monroe County) – $25,000 to support a 10-week upskilling program for select residents to help prepare them for careers in the tech sector.
• Greater Clark County Schools (Clark County) – $25,000 to advance preparation efforts and reduce barriers for students to participate in skilled trade and energy industry careers.
• Greater Lafayette Commerce Community and Economic Development Foundation (Tippecanoe County) – $30,000 to help establish the “Greater Lafayette Share a Ride to Work” pilot program, which aims to help local employers attract and retain employees from a broader geographical area by offering an affordable transportation alternative.
• Hamilton County Community Foundation (Hamilton County) – $25,500 to purchase of artificial intelligence and skills-mapping software that will be used to maximize the economic mobility of residents and build creative solutions to local labor shortages.
• Highland Heights Foundation (Clinton County) – $10,000 to support the expansion of workforce development programs by providing on-site opportunities for production assistants to develop their skills and work ethic.
• Huntington University (Huntington County) – $10,000 to purchase of drone technology and training for students enrolled in the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.
• Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board (Dearborn County) – $25,000 to support technical instruction for 12 electrician and construction apprentices.
• Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana (Vanderburgh County) – $10,000 to support a two-day, in-person career expo for more than 4,000 local eighth-12th grade students. Funds will also support the nonprofit’s “Adopt-A-School” program.
• Lawrence County Economic Growth Council (Lawrence County) – $25,000 to support the expansion of workforce education and training programs to increase the number of qualified workers in the region.
• Owen County Library (Owen County) – $5,000 to support the expansion of courses in Microsoft training, graphic design, 3D printing and laser cutting to boost workforce skills in the region.
• Project Will (statewide) – $20,000 to support the organization’s Leadership, Independence, Neighborly, Knowledge and Skills Initiative, which connects young people living with cognitive and intellectual disabilities to training, workshops, virtual classes and on-site experiences.
• River Valley Resources (Jefferson County) – $15,000 to support a school-based workforce development program aimed at helping high school juniors and seniors become college- and career-ready.