Duke Energy Awards $215,500 To BCCC | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, N.C.     Duke Energy and Beaufort County Community College today announced a $215,474 investment from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will be used to equip a simulation lab that will integrate mechatronics into existing engineering programs. This sum follows a donation in April of $221,111 from Duke Energy for welding and fabrication equipment.

    The college will purchase equipment directly tied to training requested by North State Steel as they prepare to start up a second shift. Flanders Filters and Rob's Hydraulics also have positions they need filled by candidates who are trained on their equipment. The simulation lab will help fill about 38 positions. BCCC students will be taught on the new machines using nonferrous materials. The specific training that will accompany the machines is not available at other area colleges. Students will learn fabrication, robotic automation technology and touchscreen computer design skills.

    The new equipment will allow instructors to simulate reprogramming machines to operate using different materials. While students may learn how to engineer products and how to program equipment, employers seek candidates who can design parts, and use and program equipment at their facilities.

    "We fully support BCCC's endeavors to become cutting edge in training using [these] machines," said John Urton, vice-president of operations at Flanders Filters.

    Of BCCC's May graduates from the mechanical engineering program, two are already employed at Oakridge Metal Works and one is employed at Flanders Filters. Another is continuing his education at East Carolina University.

    "Beaufort County Community College continues to jump start job readiness through innovative programs focused on high-need skills," said Duke Energy District Manager Millie Chalk. "We're proud to strengthen our partnership with the college to develop and retain a skilled workforce in this region."

    This grant is part of Duke Energy's $30 million investment in North Carolina's Community Colleges' focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges can apply for funds through the NC Community Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.

    About Beaufort County Community College

    Beaufort County Community College provides accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training and lifelong learning opportunities to the people of Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. Its machining and welding instructors are often able to place students with local companies even before they have finished their certification. To learn more about BCCC, visit www.beaufortccc.edu/.

    About Duke Energy Foundation

    Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Over the foundation's long history in local communities, it has identified focus areas that maximize the foundation's dollars and guide the foundation's giving. In North Carolina, Duke Energy Foundation invests $16 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation, visit www.duke-energy.com/community.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.