This summer, several Florida utility companies and organizations collaborated to hold Youth Energy Academy (YEA) events across the state. The initiative aimed to introduce minority and underserved students to careers in the electric utility sector and related STEM fields.
Duke Energy Florida, 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) organized hands-on activities and discussions for participating youth. Attendees toured utility facilities to learn about various roles within the energy industry.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, stated: “The energy industry is full of diverse and engaging career paths, ones that provide growth opportunities, an essential skillset and strong earning potential. 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.”
Events were held at multiple locations including St. Petersburg’s Duke Energy Bartow Power Plant; Ocala’s Lillian Bryant Community Center; sites in Orlando and Winter Garden; as well as Gainesville Regional Utilities Complex. Students engaged in workshops, virtual reality sessions, panel discussions, interactive games, live line demonstrations, and generation site tours.
Surveys conducted after each event indicated that most participants were more likely to consider a career in energy following their experience at YEA.
Duke Energy Florida serves two million customers over 13,000 square miles with 12,500 megawatts of capacity. Its parent company Duke Energy operates across several states serving millions of electric and natural gas customers while investing in grid upgrades and cleaner power sources. More information about Duke Energy’s operations can be found at duke-energy.com or through its official news channels.
Further details about the Youth Energy Academy are available at aabefl.org/youth-energy-academy.
