Duke Energy Grant Supports Tomorrow’s Energy Workforce

The Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $50,000 grant to the Electrical Lineworker Program at St. Petersburg College (SPC) to help meet the energy industry’s future workforce needs.

Since the program’s debut in March 2021, Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation have contributed more than $350,000 to develop this workforce pipeline as well as to offer access to lineworker training and job skills opportunities. These workers, honored this week on National Lineworker Appreciation Day, help power the lives of millions across the country.

“It takes a diverse team of dedicated and talented people to power the lives of millions across our communities, often in the most difficult circumstances,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Lineworkers consider it a privilege to serve their communities and they love what they do.”

“We are fortunate to have these passionate members on the Florida team, and we look forward to adding more,” said Seixas. “Graduates of lineworker programs at our local colleges are ideal candidates for lineworker roles at Duke Energy, and we are proud to continue to support the Electrical Lineworker Program at St. Petersburg College.”

Since partnering with SPC, more than 100 students have successfully completed the Electrical Lineworker Program. SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said the continued partnership will build the next generation of the workforce.

“Strengthening the talent pipeline exemplifies the college’s vision of economic mobility,” Williams said. “Without the generous contributions and continued partnership with Duke Energy, the Electrical Lineworker Program’s success would not be possible.”

As Duke Energy continues to launch new grid and infrastructure improvement projects to modernize, harden and technologically advance the power grid, the need for skilled workers – especially entry-level lineworkers – is also on the upswing. Lineworkers play an integral role in a more efficient, more reliable digital grid. 

The company’s lineworker hiring strategy is transforming to fast-track and hire more aggressively. They also collaborate with local community colleges to identify lineworker talent, shorten the new hire onboarding process and deploy new hires more rapidly.  

The 14-week program at SPC’s Allstate Center in St. Petersburg provides students with practical lineworker skills so they are job ready. The class includes certifications in Restricted Class A CDL (in partnership with Pinellas Technical College), OSHA 10 Safety Training, Bucket Truck Rescue, Pole Top Rescue, and CPR/AED & First Aid.

The Electrical Lineworker Program is made possible through valuable relationships with Duke Energy, the Pinellas County Urban League, PowerTown Line Construction, Pinellas Technical College and CareerSource Pinellas.

For more information about this program, contact Christopher Cain at 727-302-6561 or cain.christopher@spcollege.edu. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply by completing a survey at stpe.co/lineworkerprogram. Once the survey is complete, applicants will be contacted about future classes that we will be conducting interviews for and filling.

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New Grant Strengthens SPC Lineworker program

A new Duke Energy grant will strengthen St. Petersburg College’s mission to fill local jobs by training the future workforce.

Duke Energy is currently investing in workforce programs in the energy sector to help build the next generation workforce, as well as create access to training and job skills programs that meet community needs. Duke Energy’s recent $50,000 donation to the college’s Foundation for the Electrical Lineworker program is the latest contribution to the partnership between Duke and St. Petersburg College.

SPC’s Lineworker Program, a 14-week program at SPC’s Allstate Center in St. Petersburg, partially funded by an initial $100,000 grant from Duke Energy, debuted in March 2021 and graduated its first cohort in May 2021. Florida has the fourth highest number of lineworker jobs in the nation, with a median salary around $53,000 a year.  

The Lineworker program is just one of SPC’s programs that offer fast training in dozens of different programs, where students can be ready to work in high-demand jobs with great pay in just a few weeks. Almost 1000 students have taken advantage of Rapid Credentialing opportunities since June 2020, with well over a half a million dollars in scholarships offered to almost half of those students.  

“These programs have already made a tangible impact on the community and several different industries in the region,” Jason Boys, SPC’s Director of Workforce Education, said.

Boys said the Duke Energy grant will further strengthen an impactive program.

“The original 100k was great for building the training yard and purchasing equipment and setting up dedicated classrooms,” Boys said. “We can use the $50,000 to continue construction and grow the training yard. A large portion will go to direct student support, like climbing boots, protective gear and more. This new grant speaks to Duke’s dedication to the sustainability of the program.”

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SPC Represented on Florida Council

SPC Instructional Technology Coordinator Chris Littlewood was recently one of six people from across the state who were appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Independent Living Council.

Littlewood, of Seminole, is a past Vice President of the Association of Late Deafened Adults and is a member of the Hearing Loss Association, Florida Association for the Deaf and the National Association for the Deaf Emergency Management Committee. Littlewood earned bachelor’s degrees in social sciences and secondary education and his master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of South Florida.

“We are so proud of the work Chris does on behalf of people who are deaf or hard of hearing and others with access and functional needs, both personally and professionally,” said Eileen LaHaie, Executive Director for SPC’s Center for Public Safety Innovation.

The Florida Independent Living Council is an organization that promotes independence, full access, and informed choice for people with disabilities.

Littlewood said that in his appointment, he will provide input for the Florida State Plan for Independent Living, and more.

“I’ll advise on improving the independence and quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities and focus on improving the quality of life for youth with disabilities,” he said. “I’ll also make recommendations so that people with disabilities have equal access to the community resources as a result of emergencies and disasters.”

One of the other appointees, Whitney Harris, also has an SPC connection. Harris earned a Bachelor of Science degree from SPC’s Orthotics and Prosthetics department in 2012 and serves as Executive Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology based in Tallahassee, Florida.

Littlewood, who began losing his hearing in his early 20s, now has progressed to a severe to profound hearing loss. He said the experience has moved him to get involved in advocacy.

“It runs in my family,” he said. “So I have been a self-advocate for all disabilities for more than 15 years now.”

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First Cohort of Electrical Lineworkers Graduate

On Friday June 18, St. Petersburg College Workforce Education held an informal Graduation/Completion Ceremony for all of the Electrical Lineworker Program students who successfully completed the program. The celebration, which included the graduates and their families and friends, was held at the SPC Allstate Campus Power Florida Training Center. This was the first cohort of this new program, which started on March 15. 

Students completed 14 weeks – 336 hours – of intensive hands-on training with St. Petersburg College instructor Steve Magenheimer, a former Duke Energy employee and current PowerTown Line Construction employee. Magenheimer sees a bright future for the group.

“There are around 25 different entities in the state looking to hire workers, including Duke Energy, TECO, Florida Power, PowerTown, local municipalities and contractors,” Magenheimer said. “The pay and benefits are outstanding wherever you go.”

Out of the 14 students enrolled in the program, 11 of them have already have full-time jobs as a result of the program, and program leaders are working to get the other students employed, as well. The class included certifications in Restricted Class A CDL (in partnership with Pinellas Technical College), OSHA 10 Safety Training, Bucket Truck Rescue, Pole Top Rescue, and CPR/AED & First Aid.

The Electrical Lineworker Program was made possible through valuable partnerships with Duke Energy, Pinellas County Urban League, PowerTown Line Construction, Pinellas Technical College and CareerSource Pinellas. Thanks also go to Dr. Eric Carver and everyone at the Allstate Campus for their hospitality and for hosting this amazing program on their beautiful campus.

The second cohort class, which is full, starts on July 12, and future cohorts will begin in November 2021 and March 2022. If you are interested in getting more information about this program, please contact Dan Fumano at  (727) 341-4430 or fumano.dan@spcollege.edu. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply by completing this interest survey.  Once the survey is complete, you will be regarding future classes that we will be conducting interviews for and filling.

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Call for proposals: Keys to Manhood seminar

On Saturday, February 23, 2019, St. Petersburg College will be host the seventh annual Keys to Manhood Seminar at the Allstate Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by Transamerica Corporation, aims to address issues faced by male students.

Call for Proposals

The college is inviting community partners to submit proposals that focus on a range of engaging topics specifically for middle and high school students. If you’d like to submit a proposal, please complete this survey

About the Event

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Koco Eaton of Eaton Orthopedics. Dr. Eaton also serves as the orthopedic surgeon for the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Students will learn firsthand about the obstacles Dr. Eaton had to overcome as a man of color. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all student participants.

This year’s breakout sessions will include:

• Career and professional development
• Entrepreneurship
• Masculinity/personal identity
• Social/community engagement
• Hands-on activities

Scholarship Opportunities

During this year’s Keys to Manhood seminar, 10 high school seniors will be awarded scholarships to attend SPC. These scholarships are sponsored by Verizon (five $1,000 scholarships), GTE Financial (one $1,000 scholarship), and Transamerica Corporation (one $1,000 scholarship). More scholarship sponsors are expected.

For more information, please contact Todd Smith at Smith.Todd@spcollege.edu.

 

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St. Petersburg College hosts College Visit Day for high school seniors on Oct. 11

Eligible Pinellas County seniors are invited to St. Petersburg College’s “College Visit Day” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, for open house events. These open house events count as an official college visit day. While events will vary slightly from campus to campus, students can:

• Explore different majors – and the careers they lead to
• Tour campuses
• Learn how to pay for college
• Attend College 101 Seminars
• Learn how to apply to SPC

Students should ask for an official college visit letter to take back to their school as proof they attended the event. Campuses hosting College Visit Days are:

• Allstate Campus – East Lobby, 3200 34th St. S, St. Petersburg
• Clearwater Campus – ES-104, 2465 Drew St.
• Downtown Center – First Floor Lobby, 244 2^nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg
• Health Education Center – Lobby, 7200 66^th St. N, Pinellas Park
• Midtown Center – Lobby, 1300 22^nd St. S, St. Petersburg
• Seminole Campus – UPC Lobby, 9200 114^th St. N
• St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus – Music Center, 6605 5^th Ave. N
• Tarpon Springs Campus – Career and Advising Center Lobby, 600 Klosterman Rd

For more information, call 727-341-3400 or visit stpe.co/collegevisitdayfall17.

 

 

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Spend the day with big trucks at SPC’s Touch-a-Truck

Enjoy St. Petersburg College’s Third Annual Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, April 22, at the Allstate Center.

Touch-a-Truck is a free and fun community event, where families can see impressive vehicles up close, learn about their functions and find out about the exciting careers associated with them. Last year more than 650 participants attended.

When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 22

Where: Allstate Center, 3200 34th St. S., St. Petersburg

Celebrating Earth Day

2nd Annual Touch-a-Truck 2016

Remarkable vehicles used to recycle waste, purify water, save lives and much more will also be on display to celebrate Earth Day.

During the event, participants will learn about Public Safety programs at SPC and other careers that positively impact our environment and help sustain our communities.

Activities will include Earth Day crafts, a recycling relay, and Earth Day awareness education. There will also be food options available for purchase, music, games, and a rock-climbing wall.

Get more information

For more information about sponsorship and participation, contact Dee Mortellaro at 727-614-7019 or Mortellaro.Dee@spcollege.edu.

 

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NFL wide receiver Louis Murphy Jr. will speak at SPC Keys to Manhood Seminar Feb. 11

NFL veteran wide receiver Louis Murphy Jr. will give the keynote address at St. Petersburg College’s fifth annual Keys to Manhood – A Seminar for Men. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the SPC Allstate Center, 3200 34th St. S., St. Petersburg. The seminar is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided.

Keys to Manhood features a variety of breakout sessions designed to address issues that may inhibit academic success for male students. They include:

• Overcoming Legal Obstacles
• Calling all Athletes
• From Dropout to Knock
• Be the King of your Finances
• Career Decisions

Louis Murphy Jr. is an NFL veteran wide receiver, who is passionate about impacting the lives of youth and ensuring they have an opportunity to learn from his experiences. Louis is often honored for his philanthropic work in the Tampa Bay community, where he has served 5,000+ youth after starting 1^st Downs 4 Life. First Downs 4 Life seeks to empower and inspire youth by providing opportunities that assist them in making positive choices.

Register online at www.spcollege.edu/max by Feb. 3. This event is presented by Transamerica.

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SPC executive director receives Drug Free America Foundation’s Moxie Award #spcinspires

Executive Director for the Center for Public Safety Innovation Eileen LaHaie poses with St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway at the Moxie Award’s ceremony.

When Executive Director for the Center for Public Safety Innovation Eileen LaHaie was a little girl, her father always told her, “You have moxie!” She now has an award to prove it, as she was recently given a Moxie Award from the Drug Free America Foundation at their May 18 event.

According to the DFAF website, the award celebrates citizens who have shown knowledge of the facts regarding the harms of drug use, used courage to stand against legislation that would weaken drug laws and proved determined to protect our nation’s children from addiction. To select their reward recipients, the organization looks at people who have worked with them and made efforts in the community.

After working with the DFAF for more than twelve years, LaHaie said most of her work at SPC has somehow related to drug prevention. “We do community outreach, counter-drug training programs, make videos and develop curriculum for them,” she said.

LaHaie said she grew up in a law enforcement family, and she’s seen how destructive drugs can be–especially to families. “Now that I’m a grandmother, fighting drug addiction is no longer work–it has become a mission.”

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Nationally renowned speaker Cornel West heads up Heritage Speaker Series

Prominent intellectual, best-selling author and provocative talk-show guest Dr. Cornel West heads a line-up of prominent African Americans who will address social justice issues at the Heritage Lecture Series during the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in St. Petersburg.

The series, sponsored by the Cross and Anvil Human Services Center, will be held Jan. 11-13 at SPC’s Allstate Center campus, 3200 34^th St. S. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

Joining Dr. West as headline speakers will be Dr. Lani Guinier, law professor at Harvard University and former member of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division; Charles M. Blow, columnist for the New York Times; Dr. Gerald Horne, author, historian and professor at the University of Houston; and John L. Burris, civil rights attorney and legal analyst for cable news media.

The Heritage Lecture Series, entering its third year, seeks to engage the African American community in recognizing its accomplishments and defining its grievances, educating its young people and challenging its members to carry on Dr. King’s fight for equality. Speakers will focus on the effects of recent changes in law, education and history as they relate to racial justice for African Americans.

The program lineup is:

·         7 p.m. Jan. 11, Dr. Lani Guinier

·         10 a.m. Jan. 12, Charles M. Blow

·         7 p.m. Jan. 12, John Burris

·         6 p.m. Jan. 13, Dr. Gerald Horne

·         7 p.m. Jan. 13, Dr. Cornel West

The Cross and Anvil Human Services Center, 1201 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, is a partnership between the City of St. Petersburg and the Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. It provides academic support services, mental health counseling, comprehensive youth mentoring, veterans’ services, and parental engagement training.

Additional sponsors include: St. Petersburg College, the Juvenile Welfare Board, the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Office, Duke Energy, Pinellas County Schools and the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College.

Advance registration is required at http://conta.cc/1m1jHGB.

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