Representatives from Duke Energy, local school superintendents, teachers, students and others gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Electrical Powers Lab at the Greater Lafayette Career Academy (GLCA). Duke Energy awarded GLCA nearly $20,000 to equip the learning space for students in the automotive, engineering, manufacturing and welding programs.

The lab provides access to entry level electronic theory, practical circuitry building and wiring, along with more advanced topics in electrical power and battery management systems. 

"Duke Energy is proud to support the expansion of programs offered by the Greater Lafayette Career Academy," says Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Dagny Zupin. "A foundational knowledge of electricity is critical not only for young people interested in pursuing careers in the utility industry, but also for those interested in employment in manufacturing and other industries in Tippecanoe County."

GLCA Automotive Technology instructor Craig Locker says the lab provides hands-on learning, as well as space to experiment and discover new concepts. “Students are gaining a foundation of electronics that applies to career fields all over our county, such as electricians, maintenance techs, automotive technicians and engineers,” says Locker. “Every student pursuing employment in a technical field needs to have, at a minimum, an understanding of electronics and a working knowledge of how to safely work with electronics. That is what our students are gaining.”

Director of Career and Technical Education Miranda Hutcheson says community partnerships like this help us meet the needs of our ever-changing workforce: 

“We are grateful for the generosity shown by our partners at Duke Energy. They, like us, are committed to serving and preparing the students of Tippecanoe County for the future.”

More than 100 students are expected to benefit from the new lab this semester.