SANFORD, N.C. - Central Carolina Community College has announced a $199,490 investment from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The funds will be used to connect students with hands-on training and career development opportunities.

The investment will be used to fund tuition for students participating in area apprenticeships and will allow for significant equipment updates to the following programs at CCCC -- Welding Technologies, Computer Integrated Machining, and Industrial Systems Technologies.

"Apprenticeships are a key strategy for our community to help solve labor market's challenges and create a workforce for the future," said Dr. Brian S Merritt, CCCC Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development. "We are grateful to Duke Energy for this generous gift, and we look forward to working with our industry partners to help create new work-based learning opportunities for our students."

Area industry or business leaders -- in any occupational sector -- who are interested in hosting an apprentice or participating in the apprenticeship consortium can contact Drew Goodson, CCCC Dean of Career & Technical Education, at 919.718.7445 or by email at dgoodson@cccc.edu.

"It's important that we support programs that strengthen the pipeline of highly-skilled workers who will move North Carolina forward," said Indira Everett, District Manager, Duke Energy. "Our investments come full circle when many of the students go on to work for area industries, and those industries then gain skilled workers trained to meet specific, local needs."

This grant is part of Duke Energy's $35 million investment in North Carolina's Community Colleges' focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges could apply for funds through the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Foundation for the Carolinas. Applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.

About Central Carolina Community College

Central Carolina Community College offers a wide variety of programs at its three campus locations and multiple instructional locations throughout Chatham, Harnett, and Lee counties.

Within these programs, students can earn associate degrees or college transfer credits, diplomas, or certificates. Some programs are offered entirely, or in part, via online distance education. Courses also are available in such areas as Short-term Job Training, College & Career Readiness, Personal Interests, Business & Industry, and Emergency Services Training are available. For more information, visit www.cccc.edu.

About Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation's education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

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