The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding more than $330,000 in shareholder-funded grants to 16 organizations working to create a pipeline of skilled workers prepared to meet Indiana’s workforce needs.
Locally, the Hamilton County Community Foundation received a grant totaling $25,500.
“Without fail, employers and community leaders I speak to in our service territory list workforce as an immediate area of focus,” Duke Energy President Stan Pinegar said. “Duke Energy is committed to helping Indiana’s workers obtain the skills and industry-recognized credentials needed to meet the state’s current and future labor market needs, with the ultimate goal of providing a better quality of life for the customers and communities we serve.”
Among the grant recipients is The Arc of Indiana Foundation, which aims to create employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2016, the nonprofit organization founded the Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) – a first-of-its-kind postsecondary vocational program that provides training in hospitality, food service, health care and inventory distribution. Housed within the Courtyard by Marriott at Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, the program provides 10- to 13-week training sessions in which students attend class, master key job skills and gain valuable work experience through an internship.
“Since we opened our doors six years ago, more than 250 EGTI graduates have gone on to secure jobs and gain increased independence in their communities,” Andy Kirby, executive director of The Arc of Indiana Foundation said. “With the invaluable support of partners like the Duke Energy Foundation, we’re able to continue to help make the dream of having a career a reality for Hoosiers with disabilities.”
For more information about the Duke Energy Foundation visit duke-energy.com/foundation.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- The Arc of Indiana Foundation (Statewide) – $25,000
- Area 30 Career Center (Putnam County) – $12,000
- Central Nine Career Center (Johnson County) – $45,213
- Columbus Area Chamber Foundation (Bartholomew County) – $10,000
- The Dimension Mill (Monroe County) – $25,000.
- Greater Clark County Schools (Clark County) – $25,000
- Greater Lafayette Commerce Community and Economic Development Foundation (Tippecanoe County) – $30,000.
- Hamilton County Community Foundation (Hamilton County) – $25,500
- Highland Heights Foundation (Clinton County) – $10,000
- Huntington University (Huntington County) – $10,000
- Indiana Region 9 Workforce Board (Dearborn County) – $25,000
- Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana (Vanderburgh County) – $10,000
- Lawrence County Economic Growth Council (Lawrence County) – $25,000
- Owen County Library (Owen County) – $5,000
- Project Will (Statewide) – $20,000
- River Valley Resources (Jefferson County) – $15,000