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6/5/2017 |
Press Release |
Duke Energy Foundation Grants $20,000 to One Southern Indiana Talent Development Initiative |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4100 Charlestown Rd.
New Albany, IN 47150
812.945.0266
www.1si.org |  |
| Duke Energy Foundation Grants $20,000 to One Southern Indiana Talent Development Initiative |
NEW ALBANY, IND. (June 5, 2017) – Duke Energy announced today that One Southern Indiana (1si), the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Clark and Floyd counties, Ind., is a recipient of a $20,000 Duke Energy Foundation grant to support the 1si Talent Development Initiative. The initiative creates WorkHub, a provider of workforce solutions using resources available.
1si’s strategy is to coordinate efforts already underway to “skill up” individuals in the current workforce. 1si Director of Talent Development and Skill UP! Partnerships Paul Holba will be working to coordinate the introduction of the Conexus/Hire Tech advanced curriculum to high schools in four school systems, connect more students to the Prosser Career Education Center to complete their MSSC-CPT certification and expand the partnership between WorkOne and Ivy Tech Community College to identify and train more adults for careers in advanced manufacturing. 1si will also work to provide an industry-recognized work and learn federal apprenticeship (Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship – IMTA) to individuals to skill up their abilities in advanced manufacturing. Holba is also working with school systems from Indiana and Kentucky to standardize soft skills certification.
In addition, 1si will lessen the gap between the skills needed by regional employers and their future employees by implementing a system of career pathways to support and enhance workers’ transitions from school to the workforce. These pathways are the foundation of the Ford Next Generation Learning model adopted by the Greater Clark County Schools system and the Jefferson County Public Schools system in Kentucky. The initiative will create results-driven coordination between these partners.
Duke Energy has long been a supporter of 1si and economic development efforts throughout the region. The Duke Energy Foundation actively works to strengthen the quality of life in the communities it serves and believes the workforce needed by businesses and industries to be successful can be created through workforce development initiatives like WorkHub. According to Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Lisa Huber, “Duke Energy believes One Southern Indiana’s talent development initiative is vital to help existing businesses grow and to attract new companies to the area. This coordinated effort between educators and employers will help develop strategies to build the talent pipeline in our region.” She went on to say she is proud Duke Energy supports high-performing, sustainable programs and initiatives that contribute to Duke’s goal of building a diverse workforce of the future.
Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of 1si, thanked the Duke Energy Foundation for support of the initiative, saying, “The Duke Energy Foundation has been supporting the communities it serves for many years. Its proactive stance on overcoming obstacles that can keep communities from growing and thriving is admirable, and the investment it has made in workforce/talent development in the Southern Indiana/Metro Louisville region is greatly appreciated.”
For more information on the 1si Talent Development Initiative and Workhub, visit www.1si.org/workhub.
About Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation
Duke Energy Indiana’s operations provide about 6,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 820,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state’s largest electric supplier.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provided approximately $2 million in charitable gifts to Indiana organizations in 2016. The foundation's education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
About One Southern Indiana:
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to provide the connections, resources and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area.
Since its inception, the organization has evolved to include a three-prong approach to serve its members and investors. Business Resources, as the chamber side of the organization, encompasses membership, signature events and programs which support and encourage business growth; Economic Development works to grow the regional economy through the attraction of new commerce and assists with retention and expansion of existing businesses; Advocacy supports businesses at the government level by engaging in the initiatives to preserve, protect and promote a business friendly environment free of obstacles to growth and development of commerce. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Duke Energy - Lisa Huber - 502.314.3019; lisa.huber@duke-energy.com
One Southern Indiana - Suzanne Ruark - 812.206.9050; suzanner@1si.org
Photo caption: L to R, Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana; Lisa Huber, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy; Jason Lopp, attorney and incoming chairman for 1si Investor Relations Committee and Misty McCammack, senior economic development manager for Duke Energy.
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