PINEVILLE, La. – Today, Cleco awarded Iberia Parish Career Center a $10,000 educational grant for its National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Electricity 1 class where high school students are taught residential electrical services, safety and introduction to the National Electrical Code. 

“Cleco understands the importance of education, and we recognize that a commitment to our students and our classrooms is an investment in our future workforce,” said Bill Fontenot, interim Cleco Power CEO. “This support is another opportunity to highlight our commitment to our local customers by helping prepare them for future employment.”

“Equipment and supplies for this course are quite costly because students practice hands-on skills with actual tools used in industry,” said Chris Broussard, Iberia Parish Career Center principal and career and tech supervisor of Iberia Parish.  “Cleco funds will be used to purchase equipment, as well as consumable items like electrical conduit, wire, boxes, switches and receptacles.”

The curriculum used by the Iberia Parish Career Center also is followed by local community colleges ensuring a smooth transition from high school to post-secondary institutions.  Through this curriculum, high school students at Delcambre, Jeanerette, Loreauville, New Iberia Senior High and Westgate can earn an industry based NCCR Electrical Level 1 certification.