Media Contacts:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
CareerSource CLM Communications Manager
Office: 352-291-9559 | Cell: 352-816-1264
[email protected]
Peveeta Persaud, APR
Duke Energy Corporate Communications
Office: 727-820-5592 | 24-Hour: 800-559-3853
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (June 29, 2018) – Duke Energy continues to power awareness of public school career programs throughout the Citrus, Levy and Marion counties region.
Earlier this month, Dorothy Pernu, Duke Energy’s Government and Community Relations manager for a six-county region which includes Citrus, Levy and Marion counties, awarded $10,100 to CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion in continued support of its Career Awareness-Talent Pipeline video project highlighting public school programs that prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
The award, part of $1.56 million in grants to 46-Florida based programs, is administered through the Duke Energy Foundation which provides philanthropic support to communities served by Duke Energy. Last year, Duke Energy granted CareerSource CLM $21,000 toward the Career Awareness project which, to date, has resulted in 15 videos highlighting career programs in the Marion County Public School district. Plans are under way to produce similar videos in the coming school year for Levy and Citrus counties.
During the presentation on June 13, Pernu said that the videos “exceeded all expectations.”
The Duke Energy grants focus on “K to Career” educational and workforce development initiatives, the environment and community impact.
In prepared remarks about the grants, Duke Energy Florida President Catherine Stempien said, “I am proud to say our ‘K to Career’ grant cycle is the largest investment we make in the state each year. It demonstrates our commitment to the future of our communities by preparing students to become leaders and enabling and empowering a skilled workforce to meet the needs in high-demand fields.”
The educational grants help fund STEM projects and the workforce development initiatives are designed to further bolster and expand the state’s existing workforce.
“We are more than grateful that Duke Energy understands and appreciates the importance of the incredible public school career programs throughout our region,” said Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource CLM. “In many cases, students may earn certifications that prepare them for the region’s workplace right after graduating from high school or they may apply the certifications toward college credits and degrees that can be earned locally.”
Skinner said that all-too-often students and their parents, as well as area businesses, are unaware of the programs.
“We piloted the career awareness video program in 2016 to raise awareness of what area manufacturers and others businesses have to offer in terms of products, work environment and required skills for successful employment,” Skinner said, adding that students view the videos through in-school television and are used to help educate guidance staff about opportunities.
“We are now working very closely with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) staff in all three school districts to highlight public school career programs.”
Career Awareness-Talent Pipeline videos highlighting Marion County Public Schools may be viewed on CareerSource CLM’s YouTube Playlist. For more information, call 352-873-7955 or 800-746-9950.
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The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $33 million annually in charitable gifts.
The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career – particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – as well as early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports environmental projects and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit duke-energy.com/foundation.
The Duke Energy Foundation is part of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK).
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.
A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2018 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ 2018 “America’s Best Employers” list.
More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is the local, business-led nonprofit that connects businesses with qualified, skilled job candidates and candidates with employment and career development opportunities. Last year, CareerSource CLM provided fee-free services to nearly 40,000 job seekers and more than 3,600 employers throughout the three-county area. CareerSource CLM operates three career centers as well as its affiliate Talent Center in partnership with the College of Central Florida.
More information about CareerSource CLM can be found at careersourceclm.com. Follow CareerSource CLM on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ , LinkedIn and YouTube.
CareerSource CLM is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities and in Spanish. All voice telephone numbers may be reached using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. For accommodations, call 800-434-5627, ext. 7878 or email [email protected] at least three business days in advance. CareerSource CLM is a proud partner of the American Job Center network and member of CareerSource Florida.