COVINGTON, Ky. — Gateway Community & Technical College has been awarded a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support its lineworker certificate.
It is the third consecutive year that Duke has awarded the grant to Gateway, which is the company’s only Midwest partner college for lineworker training.
Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, noted that as the company’s lineworkers approach retirement, “it is critical that we are helping to build our future workforce through vital programs like this.
The grant will allow Gateway to add a digger derrick, so that students will learn how to safely install utility poles. Students who complete the accelerated certificate have an understanding of the skills, knowledge, safe work practices and physical ability required to become line technician apprentices. Twenty-one students have earned Gateway’s lineworker certificate since its launch in the spring 2020 semester.
“This grant will help us to fulfill our commitment to providing engaging and relevant curriculum to the Northern Kentucky region,” said Gateway President Fernando Figueroa. “Our lineworker certificate program is preparing our students not only for good paying jobs, but also better lives.”
The Duke Energy Foundation’s Powerful Communities program annually funds more than $30 million to communities throughout Duke Energy’s seven-state service area.
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