WASHINGTON – Duke Energy and Beaufort County Community College today announced a $248,302 investment from the Duke Energy Foundation to upgrade the equipment used in the Welding Technology Program at BCCC.

With $127,347 from the award, BCCC will purchase new Lincoln Electric Vrtex virtual welders that will complement instruction in the program. With the virtual welders, students can practice their welding techniques “virtually” and receive instant feedback from their instructors without wasting expensive materials

The college will use $120,955 from the award to purchase robotic welding machines that students can use at their individual stations and for instructor training in the use of the machines. This equipment will supplement instruction the students receive in robotic welding technology.

“Beaufort County Community College thanks Duke Energy for its investment in the Welding Technology Program,” said Dr. Barbara Tansey, BCCC president. “Trained welders are in high demand at industries throughout the region and this new equipment will give our graduates the advanced training they need to be competitive in this field.”

“This grant connects students to careers by training them in a high-demand field,” said Millie Chalk, Duke Energy’s district manager, “By further developing our local workforce in the valuable skill of welding, we’re making Beaufort County, and the region, more attractive to prospective employers.”

This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $30 million investment in North Carolina Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges can apply for funds through the NC Community Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.

About Beaufort County Community College

BCCC is a public comprehensive community college committed to providing accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the college. BCCC’s service area includes Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties and stretches from the city of Washington in the west to Ocracoke in the east. For more information about BCCC, visit www.beaufortccc.edu.

About Duke Energy Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation makes charitable investments on behalf of Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States with 7.2 million customers in six states. Duke Energy Foundation invests $25 million annually for community support and charitable contributions. To learn more about Duke Energy Foundation and how to apply for grant funding, visit duke-energy.com/foundation.