Student sets fast pace through Duke Energy’s Workforce Initiative

Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Written by: Emily Hollingshead

Fladumi Dade is on the fast track! Originally from Haiti, Dade has a background in culinary arts from his home country, but after three years of living in Florida he knew he needed to improve his English skills and earn a high school diploma to expand his career options.

In August of 2020, Seminole State College of Florida received a $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to assist adult education students who concurrently enrolled in select non-credit certificate programs. The grant’s goal was to help students in what was then known as the School of Academic Foundations reach their goals of working a fulfilling and lucrative career faster, by enrolling in the workforce certificate programs alongside their classes to obtain their GED or high school diploma.

Seminole State creates a future for students that gives them an opportunity to grow, and that future is what's most important.

Fladumi Dade.

Dade was one of the students to take advantage of the Workforce Jumpstart program to take the next step in his professional life and expand his options to Go Far. He started Seminole State’s ESOL program in the fall of 2020, and then joined the Workforce Jumpstart initiative by enrolling in his GED Prep program and the College’s HVAC certificate program, a high demand field in Florida, at the same time.

“Seminole State creates a future for students that gives them an opportunity to grow, and that future is what's most important,” said Dade. His goal is to pursue engineering and work for the city someday to give back what Seminole State gave to him. 

Duke Workforce Jumpstart program

The Duke Energy Foundation recently renewed the Duke Workforce Jumpstart program for 2021. Students who are working to obtain their GED can enroll in a career certificate program at the same time, such as the HVAC, Electrician Helper or Plumbing career certificates, so they can achieve their professional goals faster. If you are interested in more information about the program, contact Adult Education Transition Advisor Jeffrey Sellers at sellersj@seminolestate.edu.



About Seminole State College

Seminole State College of Florida, established in 1965, serves nearly 30,000 students across six sites in Central Florida. A comprehensive college, Seminole State has awarded more than 100,000 credentials, from bachelor's degrees to high school diplomas, and offers more than 200 degrees, certificates and programs designed for success. For more about the college, visit seminolestate.edu
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About the Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

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