New investment from nonprofit aims to grow state's energy workforce

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Siemens Foundation, a nonprofit, is investing $9.25 million in North Carolina to launch Careers Electric, an initiative aimed at enhancing the state's energy workforce.

"Today, electrical workers are retiring from the field at a much faster rate than there are new entrants. Here in North Carolina, nearly 70% of licensed electricians are over the age of 50," said Gov. Josh Stein during an event announcing the funding Tuesday at the Executive Mansion.

The push comes as the state has experienced a surging population and additional energy demands.

"Today, the United States, as (Gov. Stein) mentioned, is facing explosive new demand for electrical workers as data centers and AI infrastructure is built out and manufacturing in the U.S. expands. In fact, by 2030, we will need more than 130,000 electrical workers to meet that demand," said David Etzwiler, Chief Executive Officer of the Siemens Foundation.

According to Duke Energy's 2025 load forecast, total demand across its two Carolina systems is projected to increase 16% to nearly 60% through 2040, as noted by Stein's Energy Policy Task Force.

"Utilities need electrical workers to generate power for hospitals to take care of patients, for businesses to grow the economy, for homeowners and renters to heat and cool their homes. Manufacturers rely on electrical workers to produce their goods. Telecommunications and transportation systems rely on electrical workers to better connect us with each other," Stein said.

The Careers Electric initiative has a goal of training 25,000 people in the state during the next decade, utilizing North Carolina's community college system.

"We have quarterly performance-based metrics with each of the community colleges that are at the table here. We're talking about increasing the amount, the number of enrollment, increasing the number of people who stay in the program, increasing the connection to employers. We're also very focused on wraparound support for folks. We know that in order for folks to get into these programs that there has to be a way for many folks to find transportation, child care, training, materials, and all of that," said Etzwiler.

Community colleges are gearing up for the effort.

"We'll be hiring more instructors, which is key for us. Our instructors come from the real world. We have to attract electricians, and we'll be doing that with these resources. Also, (we'll be) expanding our labs. You can't do electrician (training) online, so we'll be expanding our labs," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls.

Pilar Andrade-Rosalino, a Wake Tech graduate, works in the electrical trade. She supports further investment to provide opportunities to more students.

"Expanding training opportunities in electrical programs can help many students like me gain access to quality education and hands-on experience," said Andrade-Rosalino.

On campus, Nick Gillespie is in his final year of studies as he's seeking his degree in electrical system technology.

"I took a different degree (focused on) I.T., and that wasn't working out for me. I was seeking something more stable, more consistent, and electrical really stood out to me as something that I might be interested in. I took the chance to try it because you always need electricians, you always need workers. There was stability in it, and it was interesting," Gillespie said.

He's enjoyed his time on campus.

"We have learned policy equipment, which is kind of that combination of the software and the electrical hardware stuff, a lot of control circuits, stuff like that. We've learned how to wire up different types of voltages for residential work and commercial work, and some rules behind industrial work," Gillespie said.

He's supportive of the investment, saying he believes it will be necessary as the state's population continues to grow.

"How quickly these rural areas are growing, you always need people to be able to get work done," said Gillespie.

Past that, the workforce is necessary as the state works to attract future business.

"The thing that matters most is a trained, talented workforce ready to go on day one. We're proud that we're the No. 1 state in the country for workforce development. With this type of investment, we're going to continue to be the best state in America for workforce," said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley.

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