NC Community Colleges at Forefront of New $9.25 Million Siemens Foundation Careers Electric™ Initiative

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Community College System is taking a leading role in the launch of Careers Electric™, a groundbreaking national initiative by the Siemens Foundation to expand access to high-quality electrical training and create direct pathways into well-paying, in-demand careers. 

Supported by a $9.25 million investment, the program positions North Carolina’s community colleges as the primary engine for training students for essential roles in the energy and infrastructure sectors over the next decade. Other partners include the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, the North Carolina Community College Foundation, Wake Technical Community College, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, the Families and Workers Fund, and other industry employers across North Carolina. 

“North Carolina is creating thousands of high-quality jobs that do not require a four-year degree,” said Dr. Jeffrey Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System. “Our community colleges are proud to partner with employers and initiatives like Careers Electric™ to prepare students for these opportunities and to ensure our state has the skilled workforce needed to support continued economic growth.”

A cornerstone of this statewide effort is the leadership of Wake Tech, which played a pivotal role in developing the partnership with the Siemens Foundation. In addition to the system-wide initiative, Wake Tech is slated to receive a separate grant to spearhead the implementation and development of the national training model. As a key partner, Wake Tech’s extensive scope of work will serve as the primary blueprint for replication across the country, ensuring North Carolina remains the national leader in electrical workforce innovation.

“I have long believed the shortage of skilled electricians is one of the most critical workforce gaps facing both our state and our nation, and it will only grow as electrification expands across the economy,” said Dr. Scott Ralls, President of Wake Tech. “Thanks to the generosity of the Siemens Foundation and the initiative of North Carolina’s community colleges and schools, we are working to close that gap. Wake Tech is honored to help lead the way.”

The initiative addresses a widening national skills gap and growing worker shortages in the skilled trades by validating a training model in North Carolina before scaling it across the country. By focusing on high-impact electrical careers, the program aims to provide workers with financial security and a strong foothold in the middle class.

Governor Josh Stein, who joined Dr. Cox and industry leaders for a roundtable discussion on the initiative, emphasized that the state’s surging demand for electrification makes it the ideal environment for this partnership.

This collaboration builds on recent momentum for the state’s workforce development:

• National Recognition: In January, Site Selection Magazine ranked North Carolina as the 2026 Top State for Workforce Development, citing its robust apprenticeship programs.
• Strategic Support: Governor Stein recently allocated discretionary funds to NC Career Launch, helping businesses develop youth apprenticeship programs in sectors like electrification.
• Employer Alignment: The Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships continues to lean on employer leadership to ensure clear pathways to good jobs for all North Carolinians.

To facilitate this growth, the system is now inviting all eligible NC community colleges to participate in this workforce expansion. Interested organizations and educational institutions can review the Request for Proposals to learn more about project requirements and funding priorities. Once reviewed, applicants may submit their formal credentials and project plans through the Official Application, which are due March 20.

“Careers Electric™ is about opening doors into high-demand, high-impact electrical careers that offer purpose-driven work,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Together, we will ensure innovation creates opportunities for workers across America”.

Through this partnership, the NC Community College System reaffirms its commitment to providing the specialized training necessary to power North Carolina’s expanding energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors.