INDIANA – The Duke Energy Foundation today announced that it is awarding grants to three organizations in southern Indiana to support workforce development efforts. The shareholder-funded grants aim to equip Hoosiers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials to meet the needs of the region’s employers.
“Local business leaders regularly tell us that a skilled workforce is key to the continued economic growth of the communities we serve,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “These grants will help expand the state’s skilled talent pool, create opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment, and strengthen Indiana’s competitiveness when attracting companies. They are smart investments in our customers and the places they live and work.”
The grants awarded today will support innovative workforce training programs that prepare individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the state’s fastest-growing industries, including energy, construction, and manufacturing.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
Lawrence County Economic Growth Council – $35,000
In support of local construction and energy-related employers seeking skilled workers, such as directional drillers, welders, and certified electricians, a new trades training program will focus on these fields. Participants will learn about career options, the requirements for working in the trades, and essential soft skills. Those completing the course will receive a certificate in Core Construction and have the option to directly enter an apprenticeship opportunity with the Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters.
Metropolitan School District of Martinsville (Morgan County) – $37,500
Funds will be used to improve the quality of programming students receive in the “Advanced Manufacturing: Automation and Robotics, Welding and Fabrication” course. New industry-standard materials will be purchased to support the course at Martinsville High School.
Ivy Tech Foundation (Clark County) – $35,000
Ivy Tech’s funding will be used to develop a virtual reality training space on its Sellersburg campus and to purchase additional VR headsets for training students. The training space will also be used by their school of information technology to offer academic pathway learning labs and events to recruit, retain, and support students on campus. In addition, the grant will fund additional VR headsets to expand training for workplace safety and construction, and industrial maintenance to inmates in local county jails in Clark, Floyd, Scott, and Crawford counties.
