This month St. Petersburg College will celebrate the grand opening of the Power Florida Training Center at the college’s Allstate Center location. A collaboration with Duke Energy and PowerTown Line Construction, the training ground will serve as the home of SPC’s new electrical lineworker program.
On Monday, Feb. 22, the college will host a socially distant, ribbon-cutting ceremony with community partners at the Allstate Center, 3200 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.
“SPC is committed to partnering with businesses to streamline access for our students to gain valuable skills and meet local workforce demands,” SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said. “Thank you Duke Energy and PowerTown Line Construction for your generosity and support of student success. Also, thank you to all of the other members of the SPC Lineworker Consortium for your industry expertise, which was invaluable in making our Power Florida Training Center a reality.”
In an effort to find local and diverse talent, Duke Energy generously donated $100,000 to develop the training facility, hire an instructor and purchase classroom equipment. The program also was funded by the Florida Department of Education’s Rapid Credentialing Grant, which came out of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“Duke Energy Florida is proud to collaborate with St. Petersburg College on its new electrical lineworker program. It strengthens the diverse workforce pipeline needed to provide reliable power and provides our neighbors good paying jobs to support the vitality of our communities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “This curriculum ensures graduates will be ready to work with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful.”
As a member of the SPC Lineworker Consortium, PowerTown offered industry insight on the project and oversaw construction of the training yard. Steve Magenheimer, PowerTown Line Construction Training Director, will teach the program’s first training cohort next month.
“PowerTown is excited to collaborate with St. Petersburg College to bring more than 30 years of experience to the classroom,” Magenheimer said. “Not only will students be prepared for various roles, the training program will also instill the principles of diversity, safe work practices, proper work methods and team building.”
Students can complete the electrical lineworker program in as little as 14 weeks. They will gain hands-on, essential lineworker skills and receive additional CPR/First Aid, commercial driver, and OSHA 10 training.
In Florida, where tropical weather can regularly interrupt the power supply, electrical line installers and repairers are in demand. The state boasts the fourth highest employment level for this occupation in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Electrical power line installers and repairers earn a median annual salary of $52,770 in the Tampa Bay area.
The program’s first 14-week class will start March 15. For more information and to register, contact Dan Fumano at Fumano.Dan@spcollege.edu.
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