Careers Electric Academy Powers Workforce Pipeline
Jul 16, 2026Rockingham Community College recently welcomed education, industry, government and nonprofit leaders to campus July 14 to highlight the success of the inaugural Careers Electric Academy, a seven-week summer program preparing high school students for high-demand careers in the electrical industry.
The event brought together partners from Rockingham County Schools, Rockingham County Government, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, the North Carolina Association of Electrical Contractors (NCAEC), the Siemens Foundation, the Reidsville Area Foundation, local employers and community leaders to demonstrate how collaboration is creating new opportunities for students while addressing critical workforce needs across the region.
Twenty high school students participating in the academy showcased their work during a lab tour and shared their experiences during a panel discussion alongside educators and industry representatives.
“That’s the key — the partners,” said RCC President Dr. Sylvia Cox. “It’s the relationships and the people here putting what is best for our community members and our students first.”
The Careers Electric Academy is designed to introduce high school students to electrical careers through college-level coursework, hands-on training, employer engagement, work-based learning experiences and pre-apprenticeship opportunities. Students earn college credit while gaining industry-recognized skills and exploring career pathways that can lead directly to employment or continued education through RCC’s Electrical Systems Technology program.
The initiative represents a strong partnership between RCC and Rockingham County Schools, which have expanded career and college opportunities for students through programs such as Career and College Promise, the CTE Innovative High School, and workforce development initiatives.
“The partnership of using the resources and faculty of Rockingham Community College and pairing that with opportunities for our students has been phenomenal,” said Rockingham County Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Perkins. “We’re creating opportunities for students to enter high-demand careers with valuable credentials and little to no college debt.”
Partnerships were a recurring theme throughout the event, with speakers emphasizing the collective effort required to launch the program.
Funding and support have come from multiple organizations, including the Siemens Foundation, which helped launch the academy, and the Reidsville Area Foundation, which provided funding for a high school instructor to participate in the program. The North Carolina Association of Electrical Contractors serves as the program’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship sponsor, while employer partners provide mentorship, workplace exposure and career guidance.
“We are so thrilled to partner with NCAEC,” said Jennifer Lester, RCC’s director of Corporate Education and Training. “This program is not possible without our employer partners. Their engagement and support are critical to helping students connect classroom learning to real career opportunities.”
Local industry leaders said the program is helping address growing workforce demands while giving students more choices for their futures.
Mike Cravens, project manager with Starr Electric, said programs like Careers Electric help students realize there are multiple pathways to success.
“It gives students a choice,” Cravens said. “They don’t have to go deeply into debt to start a rewarding career. They can begin an apprenticeship, go to work, earn while they learn and build a future with tremendous opportunities.”
Duke Energy District Manager for Government and Community Relations Hank Henning noted that rapid changes in the energy sector and emerging technologies are creating new career opportunities that require skilled workers.
“Any time students can develop these skill sets and understand how these systems work, it creates tremendous opportunities for them and helps industries meet future workforce needs,” Henning said.
Students participating in the academy said the experience has exceeded their expectations.
Jacob Pacheco, who hopes to become an aerospace engineer, said he was surprised by the depth of learning and the variety of careers connected to electrical work.
“The knowledge that you gain from this really helps throughout your entire life and career,” Pacheco said. “I would definitely recommend this program.”
Isaac Nunez said the academy opened his eyes to the many possibilities within the skilled trades.
“The sky’s the limit,” Nunez said. “I’ve learned a lot while I was here, and the experience has been great.”
The academy intentionally mirrors workplace expectations, with students attending four days a week, earning college credit and developing professional skills such as teamwork, accountability and punctuality. Employers regularly visit classrooms and host students at job sites to provide industry insight and real-world experience.
RCC leaders say they hope the academy becomes a long-term pipeline connecting students with in-demand careers while helping local employers meet workforce needs.
“What we’ve heard today is that workforce development is strongest when we come together,” Lester said. “When industry, education and community partners align to create opportunities for students, everybody benefits. Programs like Careers Electric help students gain valuable skills while building the talent pipeline that will support our region’s future workforce.”
~By Gerri Hunt, RCC Director of Public Information
