North Carolina Launches $9.25M Initiative to Grow Energy Workforce

The Siemens Foundation's 'Careers Electric' program aims to train 25,000 electrical workers over the next decade.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Siemens Foundation, a nonprofit, is investing $9.25 million in North Carolina to launch 'Careers Electric', an initiative aimed at enhancing the state's energy workforce. The push comes as North Carolina has experienced a surging population and additional energy demands, with the state needing over 130,000 new electrical workers by 2030 to meet the growing needs.

Why it matters

This investment is crucial for North Carolina as the state works to attract new businesses and industries that require a skilled electrical workforce. With nearly 70% of licensed electricians in the state over the age of 50, this program aims to train the next generation of workers to power the state's growing economy and infrastructure.

The details

The Careers Electric initiative will utilize North Carolina's community college system to train 25,000 people over the next decade. The program will focus on increasing enrollment, retention, and connections to employers, as well as providing wraparound support services like transportation and childcare. Community colleges are preparing by hiring more instructors and expanding their training labs.

  • The Siemens Foundation announced the $9.25 million investment on February 18, 2026.
  • North Carolina is projected to see a 16-60% increase in energy demand across its two Carolina systems by 2040, according to Duke Energy's 2025 load forecast.

The players

Josh Stein

Governor of North Carolina.

David Etzwiler

Chief Executive Officer of the Siemens Foundation.

Dr. Scott Ralls

President of Wake Tech Community College.

Pilar Andrade-Rosalino

A Wake Tech graduate working in the electrical trade.

Nick Gillespie

A student in his final year of studies for an electrical system technology degree at Wake Tech.

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What they’re saying

“Today, electrical workers are retiring from the field at a much faster rate than there are new entrants. Here in North Carolina, nearly 70% of licensed electricians are over the age of 50.”

— Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina (abc11.com)

“Today, the United States, as (Gov. Stein) mentioned, is facing explosive new demand for electrical workers as data centers and AI infrastructure is built out and manufacturing in the U.S. expands. In fact, by 2030, we will need more than 130,000 electrical workers to meet that demand.”

— David Etzwiler, Chief Executive Officer of the Siemens Foundation (abc11.com)

“Expanding training opportunities in electrical programs can help many students like me gain access to quality education and hands-on experience.”

— Pilar Andrade-Rosalino, Wake Tech Graduate (abc11.com)

“How quickly these rural areas are growing, you always need people to be able to get work done.”

— Nick Gillespie, Electrical System Technology Student at Wake Tech (abc11.com)

What’s next

The Careers Electric initiative has set quarterly performance-based metrics with North Carolina's community colleges to track progress on increasing enrollment, retention, and connections to employers.

The takeaway

This $9.25 million investment from the Siemens Foundation is a critical step in addressing North Carolina's looming shortage of electrical workers, which is essential for powering the state's growing economy, infrastructure, and energy demands. By leveraging the community college system, the Careers Electric program aims to train the next generation of skilled electrical workers to support the state's continued growth and development.