This summer, several Florida utility companies and energy organizations collaborated to organize the Youth Energy Academy (YEA), a series of career exploration events aimed at introducing young people to careers in the electric utility industry and related STEM fields. The initiative was led by Duke Energy Florida in partnership with Ocala Electric, SECO Energy, Orlando Utilities Commission, Siemens Energy, Gainesville Regional Utilities, and the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE).
The YEA events were held at multiple locations across the state, including St. Petersburg at the Duke Energy Bartow Power Plant; Ocala at the Lillian Bryant Community Center; Orlando and Winter Garden; and Gainesville at the Gainesville Regional Utilities Complex. These events featured interactive activities such as career workshops, virtual reality experiences, panel discussions, games, live line demonstrations, and tours of generation sites.
According to organizers, these programs targeted underprivileged and disadvantaged youth to provide them with hands-on exposure to various aspects of the energy sector. Students had opportunities to learn directly from professionals in the field.
“The energy industry is full of diverse and engaging career paths, ones that provide growth opportunities, an essential skillset and strong earning potential,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “The Youth Energy Academy is the best place for students to explore these rewarding options and discover how they can make a real impact in their community and beyond.”
After participating in YEA events, most students reported through surveys that they were more likely to consider a career in energy.
Duke Energy Florida serves about 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida with 12,500 megawatts of capacity. Its parent company Duke Energy operates across six states serving millions of electric and natural gas customers while investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources such as renewables and storage solutions.
More information about Duke Energy can be found on its website https://www.duke-energy.com/ or via its social media channels.
Photos from recent YEA events are available for download online. Details about future Youth Energy Academy programs can be found at https://aabefl.org/youth-energy-academy/.