Duke Energy Foundation invests $180,000 in workforce training to support growth across South Carolina

• Grants aim to help address labor needs by training technical college students to help meet demand as state continues to grow

GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Meeting the demands of South Carolina's continued growth will require more than new infrastructure. It will require a skilled workforce ready to build it.

To help strengthen that talent pipeline, Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $180,000 in grants to nine technical colleges across the state to expand construction-related training, enhance hands-on learning opportunities and support industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields.

Our view: "Projects like our new natural gas facility in Anderson County will help power South Carolina's growth while creating good jobs in the communities we serve," said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy South Carolina president. "The construction of that facility over the next few years will need potentially thousands of highly skilled trade workers to complete, and these grants will help ensure local students and workers are prepared to compete for those opportunities."

Where the money goes: Each of these schools received a $20,000 grant that supports workforce training programs, welding tools, materials and supplies for electrician programs and more. You can find a full list of projects here.

• Central Carolina Technical College
• Florence-Darlington Technical College
• Greenville Technical College
• Northeastern Technical College
• Piedmont Technical College
• Spartanburg Community College
• Tri-County Technical College
• Williamsburg Technical College
• York Technical College

Positive response:

Dr. Debbie Cheek, Florence-Darlington Technical College interim president: "Florence-Darlington Technical College is grateful to have Duke Energy as a partner providing funds for our Electrician Program. Construction is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Pee Dee, yet nearly half of construction firms cite labor shortages as the leading cause of project delays. SC DEW has recognized 'electricians' as a workforce priority, recognizing the importance of electricians on the workforce now and in the future. With the help of Duke Energy and its support of FDTC's electrician program, we are helping to fill the demand for highly skilled electricians."

Gina Blohm, Greenville Tech Foundation executive director: "We are grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for its generous support of welding education at Greenville Technical College. This grant helps remove barriers for our welding students, ensuring they have the resources they need to pursue the strong career opportunities available in this high-demand field."

Dr. Michael Mikota, Spartanburg Community College president: "This investment from the Duke Energy Foundation represents more than new equipment – it represents new opportunities for students and for the future workforce in Union County. By expanding access to high-quality technical education closer to home, we are helping students explore rewarding careers while building the skilled workforce our region's employers need. We are grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for partnering with us to create lasting opportunities for students and our community."

Since 2016, Duke Energy Foundation has invested $5.4 million in these types of initiatives across South Carolina.

Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities. 

Media Contact: Catherine Ramirez

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SOURCE Duke Energy