Duke Energy Foundation announced it is awarding grants to four organizations in central and north-central Indiana supporting workforce development efforts. The shareholder-funded grants aim to equip Hoosiers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials to meet the needs of the region’s employers.

“Local business leaders regularly tell us that a skilled workforce is key to the continued economic growth of the communities we serve,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “These grants will help expand the state’s skilled talent pool, create opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment, and strengthen Indiana’s competitiveness when attracting companies. They are smart investments in our customers and the places they live and work.”

The grants awarded will support innovative workforce training programs that prepare individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the state’s fastest-growing industries, including the energy, construction and technology fields.

Grants were awarded to a pair of local organizations:

Indiana University Kokomo was awarded $15,000. It will use its grant for its “Fueling the Future” internship program, providing up to five paid internships for undergraduate students with regional clean energy employers. This initiative will offer hands-on experience in renewable energy, infrastructure development and energy storage, preparing students for in-demand careers.

Grant funding will support student stipends and program management, which will foster applied learning and strengthen the university’s commitment to sustainability education.

Western School Corporation received a $20,000 grant. Through the High School Pathways in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Certificate program, the corporation is preparing students for careers in the rapidly growing field of electric and hybrid vehicle technology. With the support of this grant, students will continue to gain the specialized knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to earn an Automotive Service Excellence Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification, a highly valued credential in the automotive industry.

The curriculum focuses on critical components such as high-voltage systems, converters, power inverters, and safety and interlock circuits, ensuring students develop a deep understanding of these advanced vehicle technologies.