This summer, several Florida utility companies and energy organizations collaborated to offer Youth Energy Academy (YEA) events aimed at introducing teenagers from underserved communities to careers in the electric utility and STEM fields.
The initiative brought together 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). These groups organized hands-on activities and discussions for students who are underprivileged or disadvantaged. Participants also toured utility facilities to gain direct insight into the energy sector.
“The energy industry is full of diverse and engaging career paths, ones that provide growth opportunities, an essential skillset and strong earning potential,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “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 took place at various locations across Florida. In St. Petersburg, students visited the Duke Energy Bartow Power Plant. Other events were held at the Lillian Bryant Community Center in Ocala with SECO, Ocala Electric Utilities and Duke Energy Florida; as well as sites in Orlando and Winter Garden with Orlando Utilities Commission, Siemens Energy and Duke Energy Florida; and at Gainesville Regional Utilities Complex with Gainesville Regional Utilities and Duke Energy Florida.
Students participated in workshops focused on career development, virtual reality experiences related to energy work, panel discussions with industry professionals, interactive games, live line demonstrations, and tours of power generation sites. After each event, surveys indicated that most participants felt more inclined to pursue a career in the energy field after their experience with YEA.
Duke Energy Florida serves 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in the state. The company operates 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity.
Duke Energy is among the largest U.S. energy holding companies by customer count. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina (duke-energy.com), it supplies electricity to 8.4 million customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—and natural gas services to 1.7 million customers across five states.
The company continues investing in upgrades for its electric grid infrastructure as well as cleaner forms of generation such as renewables and energy storage (Duke Energy News Center). Additional information about ongoing projects can be found through its official channels on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
For more details about Youth Energy Academy programming or future events visit aabefl.org/youth-energy-academy.
