Careers Electric™ Launches National Coalition to Expand Workforce Training for the Electrical Careers of Today and Tomorrow

Following the recent selection of ten state community colleges for the $2.5 million Careers Electric™ Training Network, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) is proud to amplify the launch of the newly formed, national Careers Electric™ coalition. As a core North Carolina Grantee Partner, NCCCS is working hand-in-hand with this national initiative to support the development of a highly skilled electrical workforce across the United States.

The national coalition brings together major industry employers, national trade associations, workforce development organizations, and philanthropic leaders committed to a new, sector-driven approach to workforce development in America’s skilled trades. By equipping students and workers with the technical, digital, safety, and workplace skills required in today’s rapidly evolving energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, the coalition aims to scale successful workforce training models nationwide.

As an implementation partner, the North Carolina Community College System—alongside Wake Technical Community College and the NC Community College System Foundation—serves as a vital regional engine for this national model. Through the state’s recently established Training Network, NCCCS is actively modernizing electrical curricula, enhancing recruitment, and addressing student barriers to success—such as equipment costs, transportation, and childcare—to ensure a diverse, robust talent pipeline enters the trade.

“We are thrilled to see the formal launch of the national Careers Electric™ coalition. As a proud grantee and implementation partner here in North Carolina, our system is uniquely positioned to deliver on this national vision,” said System President Dr. Jeff Cox. “By scaling high-impact electrical workforce training across our diverse colleges, we are not only bridging critical regional skills gaps but also establishing a proven framework for workforce readiness that can power innovation across the entire country.”

The employer-powered coalition aligns cross-sector efforts to open doors to well-paying, in-demand electrical careers. Founding national industry partners include ABB, Amazon Web Services, Duke Energy, JetZero, Hitachi Energy, and Siemens. These corporations will collaborate directly with regional and national implementation partners, including:

• Workforce Development Organizations: CareerWise, Strada Education Foundation, and The Manufacturing Institute (the 501(c)3 non-profit workforce development affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers).
• North Carolina Incubation Partners: NC Chamber of Commerce, NC Department of Commerce, and NC Electric Cooperatives.
• North Carolina Grantee Partners: North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), Wake Technical Community College, North Carolina Community College System Office and Foundation, EVITP, and the Families and Workers Fund.

As electrification accelerates across vital sectors—from energy and infrastructure to advanced manufacturing and data centers—the nationwide demand for skilled electrical workers continues to outpace availability. Through this collaborative national coalition and targeted local investments, partners are building a sustainable, scalable solution to fuel the modern economy.

“High-quality workforce training is essential not only to meet employers’ growing demand for skilled talent, but also to expand access to well-paying trade careers for more Americans,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Seeing industry leaders, including competitor companies, come together as part of this powerful coalition underscore just how important workforce training is to the strength of our economies and communities.”

With plans to scale this model across the United States, the Careers Electric Coalition will deliver lasting impact for workers, employers, and communities. The initiative aims to train 25,000 people in its first 10 years.

To learn more about the Careers Electric initiative or to join the coalition, visit CareersElectric.com.

About the Siemens Foundation 
The Siemens Foundation advances workforce development in focused fields, including manufacturing, electrification, and healthcare in the United States. Established in 1998, the Siemens Foundation has invested $174 million in the United States to support the development of U.S. workers by scaling best-practices and investing in workforce training and education. Through partnerships with national organizations, we work to improve individual lives and local communities. Further information is available at www.siemens-foundation.org.

About the North Carolina Community College System

The North Carolina Community College System (NC Community Colleges or System) is the engine for workforce development in North Carolina and the only public entity dedicated to providing affordable college access to anyone in the state. The System is governed by the NC State Board of Community Colleges with administration from the NC Community College System Office, and support from the NC Community Colleges Foundation, and is powered by the 58 community colleges and their respective foundations. Together, the System serves 600,000 students and awards more than 60,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates annually. For more information, visit https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/