Duke Energy Foundation Gives Welding Scholarship

Duke Energy Foundation gave a scholarship grant worth $45,000 to the Educational Foundation of Florence-Darlington Technical College. The grant will be used to provide scholarships for students enrolled in the Advanced Welding and Cutting Center.

Mindy Taylor, Government and Community Relations Manager for the Pee Dee Region of Duke Energy, gave the check to the president of the FDTC Dr. Ben Dillard and the vice president of the foundation Jill Lewis. Dillard said that they are grateful to Duke Energy for the grant. The company realizes the importance of having a qualified workforce and the grant will provide scholarships for welding students who are the future workers in different industries across the state.

The Advanced Welding and Cutting Center of the Florence-Darlington Technical College trains students in the art of welding to prepare them for the high paying jobs in the future. The FDTC also operates the Pipe Welding Academy. There is high demand for pipe welders in the power generation industry and the scholarship grant from Duke Energy will provide them much needed workers in the near future.

Lewis praised Duke Energy for giving the additional funding the scholarship program. Lewis said that Duke Energy has been a generous and loyal friend to the FDTC. They look forward to their continued mutual and beneficial relationship with the company for years to come.

It is not the first time that Duke Energy has helped the FDTC. Duke Energy Foundation funded 15 scholarships for pipe welding, valve technician, and pipe fitting technicians who are part of the Power Up program. Through the scholarships, the students are able to enroll at the school’s Advanced Welding and Cutting Center.

The Power Up program provided advanced welding training for students who want to work in the power generation industry. It is also supported by the US Department of Labor.