Cleveland Community College today announced a $200,000 grant from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas to help provide CCC students with hands-on training and career development opportunities in the College's Electrical Lineworker Academy (ELA). The investment, made by the Duke Energy Foundation, will help cover students' registration fees and purchase equipment, fuel and other materials needed to support the ELA. In addition, a portion of the grant is designated to assist out-ofstate students with housing costs. The Academy is a shortterm, job-training program that prepares students with the knowledge, skills and certifications needed to work for utility companies, electrical contractors and telecommunication companies. "The Electrical Lineworker Academy is a tremendous asset in training students for successful careers in the energy and communications industries," said Dr. Jason Hurst, president of CCC. "We are grateful for and honored by the continued support of Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas." "We rely on the skills and expertise of line workers to power our daily lives and depend on this vital role in maintaining and growing the state's energy infrastructure," said Craig De Brew, Duke Energy district manager. "We're pleased to partner with Cleveland Community College to cultivate training and education opportunities for line workers of the future." This grant is part of Duke Energy's $35 million investment in North Carolina's Community Colleges' focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges could apply for funds through the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Foundation for the Carolinas. Applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.