ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Petersburg College (SPC) has opened a new Power Florida Training Center at the college’s Allstate Center location.
In collaboration with Duke Energy and PowerTown Line Construction, the center will serve as the home of SPC’s new electrical lineworker program.
“SPC is committed to partnering with businesses to streamline access for our students to gain valuable skills and meet local workforce demands,” SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said. “Thank you Duke Energy and PowerTown Line Construction for your generosity and support of student success. Also, thank you to all of the other members of the SPC Lineworker Consortium for your industry expertise which was invaluable in making our Power Florida Training Center a reality.”
In an effort to find local and diverse talent, Duke Energy donated $100,000 to develop the training facility, hire an instructor and purchase classroom equipment. The program also was funded by the Florida Department of Education’s Rapid Credentialing Grant, which came out of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“Duke Energy Florida is proud to collaborate with St. Petersburg College on its new electrical lineworker program. It strengthens the diverse workforce pipeline needed to provide reliable power and provides our neighbors good paying jobs to support the vitality of our communities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “This curriculum ensures graduates will be ready to work with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful.”
As a member of the SPC Lineworker Consortium, PowerTown offered industry insight on the project and oversaw construction of the training yard. Steve Magenheimer, PowerTown Line Construction Training Director, will teach the program’s first training cohort next month.
“PowerTown is excited to collaborate with St. Petersburg College to bring more than 30 years of experience to the classroom,” Magenheimer said. “Not only will students be prepared for various roles, the training program will also instill the principles of diversity, safe work practices, proper work methods and team building.”
Students can complete the electrical lineworker program in as little as 14 weeks. They will gain hands-on, essential lineworker skills and receive additional CPR/First Aid, commercial driver, and OSHA 10 training.
In Florida, where tropical weather can regularly interrupt the power supply, electrical line installers and repairers are in demand. The state boasts the fourth highest employment level for this occupation in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Electrical power line installers and repairers earn a median annual salary of $52,770 in the Tampa Bay area.
For more information and to register, contact Dan Fumano at Fumano.Dan@spcollege.edu.
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College alumni rank 1st in the state of Florida for possessing the most valuable job skills among two-year colleges. Founded in 1927, SPC is Florida's first two-year college and the first to offer bachelor’s degrees. We offer more than 110 degree and certificate programs, including many high-demand, high-skill industry-recognized workforce certifications. Our career-focused curriculum is created with input from industry experts to give students the skills they need to meet the needs of today’s employers. Our new Pathways Program gives students a clear roadmap to success to ensure they are taking the right courses - in the right sequence - to meet their goals.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns a diverse generation mix of natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 10,200 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.9 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2020 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list, and Forbes’ 2019 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contacts:
Duke Energy
Ana Gibbs
Cell: 813.928.7263
Media line: 800.559.3853
St. Petersburg College
Rita Farlow
Phone: 727-302-6526
Email: Farlow.Rita@spcollege.edu
Marilyn Shaw
Phone: 727-341-4712
Email: shaw.marilyn@spcollege.edu