What's New
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Energy Companies
Collaborate to Create the Carolina HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway Program
In December 2020, a group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and energy companies in the Carolinas convened a Council to create a leadership pathway for HBCU students to the energy industry. Participating Pathway students will prepare for energy industry leadership careers beginning in their freshman year. They will acquire experience and credentials in addition to their regular education, making them particularly attractive to energy industry employers. Students will be from all disciplines of interest to the energy industry, not just from engineering and technical disciplines.
The Pathway is designed to operate in parallel with a four-year undergraduate program to provide participating students with experience and credentials each year.
- Freshman Year (second term) – Students participate in energy executive Lectures, energy employment pathway orientation and are counseled on appropriate energy industry preparatory course selection.
- Sophomore year – Students participate in an energy “boot camp”, providing broad industry perspective, are presented energy internship opportunities, are paired with an energy mentor, invited to energy company and organization tours, participate in a “Power Skill” development program and participate in the annual Energy Pathway Weekend.
- Junior Year – Students participate in job shadowing, continuing mentoring, may participate in the “boot camp” or “Power Skill” courses, if not participating in their Sophomore Year, are presented a second internship opportunity and participate in the annual Energy Pathway Weekend.
- Senior Year and Beyond – Students with their mentors’ support explore post-graduation, full-time energy employment opportunities, are coached on interview and employment negotiation skills, participate in energy job fairs and complete their Pathway credentialing and certification. Pathway graduates are eligible to participate in an energy leadership program at a discounted rate and at their new employer’s expense.
The Pathway will activate during the Fall 2021 semester on a pilot basis with Benedict College, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina A&T University, and South Carolina State University. As the Pathway operation is refined, it will be scaled, and participation of the other 14 Carolina HBCUs added, depending upon the energy industry’s response in offering engagement, internship, and post-graduate employment opportunities. Over 300 Carolina energy companies and organizations are being invited to participate in the Pathway.
The Pathway is expected to initially be supported with grants and, once proven and operating successfully, will become supported through modest annual investments by a large number of energy company and organization members. Participating energy companies will help shape the Pathway’s design and determine how it will operate on a sustained basis.
Carolina HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway Council members include; Benedict College, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Ecoplexus Solar, ElectriCities, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, Santee Cooper, and South Carolina State University. The Council is supported administratively by E4 Carolinas.
Members Spotlight
MasTec is a National Infrastructure construction company, serving a broad range of industries within the energy and communication sectors. MasTec is a publicly traded, Fortune 500, certified Minority-Controlled Company, with a workforce of 20,000 and a footprint extending throughout North America and parts of Latin America.
GEL Engineering, LLC. and GEL Engineering of NC Inc.,(GEL) are headquartered in the Carolinas and offer environmental, engineering, and surveying services. Since 1981, GEL has served clients by assisting new and expanding industries with Federal, State, and Local permitting and compliance, wetlands delineation and mitigation, industrial site design and surveying, plant expansion modifications, groundwater programs and remediation, hazardous waste, industrial wastewater, emissions testing, and industrial hygiene. GEL Engineering, LLC., is a member of The GEL Group and GEL Engineering of NC Inc., is an affiliate of The GEL Group which is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, with over 320 employees, providing environmental consulting, surveying, civil engineering, laboratory analysis and geophysics. Established in 1981, The GEL Group has a long tradition of providing quality, cost-effective services locally, throughout the Southeast, and internationally. For more information, visit gel.com.
Trilliant® empowers the energy industry with the only purpose-built communications platform that enables utilities and cities to securely and reliably deploy any application - on one powerful network. With the most field-proven, globally compliant solution in the market, Trilliant empowers you by connecting the world of things®.
Vision & Mission
E4 Carolinas envisions the region attracting and retaining the world’s foremost energy companies, innovators and leaders.
Our mission is to cultivate a collaborative Carolina energy cluster to accelerate economic growth, efficient resources and care for our environment, resulting in increased employment, productivity and prosperity. Those are our four “Es.”
Our vision will be realized and mission accomplished by creating:
- A highly-connected, informed and collaborative cluster of energy companies and organizations.
- A growing energy economy.
- A world-class energy workforce and leadership pipeline.
- A relevant and dynamic energy innovation ecosystem.
- A comprehensive energy strategy and policy.
Our Members
E4 Carolinas members are from all energy sectors and all parts of the Carolinas. Some are large and established and others are small, early stage companies. Some are directly engaged in the Carolinas energy production and infrastructure industries while others provide valuable services and supplies. Regardless of their size or role, all have found they can be more valuable and successful through collaboration in E4 Carolinas’ task forces, programs, and events.
E4 Carolinas’ Member Guide describes how you may create more value for your company or organization. Examine our member companies and Board of Directors; you’ll likely find many familiar names and others with which to connect. Call on our staff for any assistance your require.
Network with our growing Membership