HAMLET — Duke Energy continues its investment in Richmond Community College’s Electric Utility Substation and Relay Technology program to help build a skilled workforce for the energy industry. The Duke Energy Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to the College’s Foundation to expand the curriculum of the EUSRT program that prepares students to become relay technicians and transformer test specialists.
The Richmond Community College Foundation was one of more than 70 education and workforce training initiatives across North Carolina to receive a portion of the $2.7 million Duke Energy Foundation grants for 2017.
“Our goal is to build a brighter future for the communities we’re fortunate to serve,” said David Fountain, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “That begins with smart investments in the people who will successfully move our industry, workforce and state forward.”
These grants will enhance educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math, childhood reading proficiency and workforce development.
“When Richmond Community College recognized the power industry’s need to train the next generation of utility workers, Duke Energy was on board to help us establish a program that would meet a demand and offer our students an opportunity for high-skill, high-wage jobs,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, Richmond Community College president. “Duke Energy has been a key partner in the establishment, growth and success of our Electric Utility Substation and Relay Technology program, which is unlike any other two-year associate degree program in the country.”
Students in the EUSRT program learn how to maintain transmission equipment and troubleshoot when problems arise. Courses include theory in three-phase power, protective relaying, power transformers, voltage regulators, capacitors and power circuit breakers. These skills apply to the electric utility industry and numerous other industries.
Wylie D. Bell is director of marketing and communications for Richmond Community College.