Siemens Foundation Launches Career s Electric, a National Electrical Workforce Initiative

This week, the Siemens Foundation announced the launch of Careers electric, a national initiative to expand access to high quality electrical training and create pathways to well-paying, in-demand electrical careers. North Carolina is the first state to implement this program.  

“For years we’ve heard about the widening skills gap and growing worker shortages in skilled trades,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Careers Electric™ provides a model to solve this—validating the solution in one state, then working together to scale it nationwide. Careers Electric™ is about opening doors to high-demand, high-impact electrical careers that offer purpose-driven work, financial security, and a strong foothold in the middle class. Together, we will ensure innovation creates opportunities for workers across America and benefits individuals, families, and communities.” 

By 2030, the United States will need an additional 130,000 electricians, as AI development increases demand for electrical work. Careers Electric will begin in North Carolina with a $9.25 million investment from the Siemens Foundation, through a partnership with local North Carolina communities colleges. The initiative will expand training capacity, modernize curriculum around emerging technologies, and create multiple entry points—from high school training and youth apprenticeships to community college credentials and specialized electrical training—positioning North Carolina as a robust, replicable model for other states. The initiative aims to train 25,000 people in the first 10 years. 

“America’s electrification and energy needs are outpacing the supply of skilled electrical workers,” said Ann Fairchild, Interim President and CEO of Siemens USA. “With Careers Electric™, the Siemens Foundation is addressing this need with a coalition of stakeholders, recognizing that we can make a more powerful impact on people’s lives, our communities, and U.S. innovation when we work together. This is how we build the workforce that our nation needs.”