Robeson Community College (RCC) is proud to announce the launch of the Utility Fundamentals Program, the first program of its kind in the North Carolina Community College System. Developed in close collaboration with industry partners, this accelerated 12-week program is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled, safety-focused technicians across the utility, power generation and industrial maintenance sectors.
Built around real outage and plant-support work, the Utility Fundamentals Program offers an intensive, hands-on curriculum that mirrors how utility teams operate in the field. Students can earn core safety credentials such as OSHA-10 and CPR/First Ad, then progress into tool control, measurement, mechanical fundamentals, rigging, lockout/tagout (LOTO), electrical and instrumentation essentials, 4-20 mA instrumentation, and introductory PLC and controls. They also develop key workplace skills, including conducting job briefings, reading prints, completing documentation and performing quality checks.
Training uses industrial equipment found on real job sites, valves, rigging systems, panel and instrumentation trainers and modern drives and controls, ensuring graduates are job-ready on day one. The curriculum also aligns with Robeson Community College’s Mechatronics program, providing a seamless pathway for those interested in advancing their technical education.
The program directly addresses hiring needs identified by employer partners seeking reliable entry-level technicians who can follow procedures, communicate effectively and adapt to the fast-paced environment of outage and plant operations. For local industries, including power generation, fabrication, process and packaging, the program offers a streamlined talent pipeline that reduces onboarding time and training risk.
RCC extends its sincere appreciation to the partners and sponsors whose support has brought this program to life: Duke Energy; Scholar Path; Powered by Protech Solutions; Lumbee River EMC, (LREMC); Westinghouse Electric; Metcon; ACHUTI; The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, and Lumbee Utility Group.
RCC is proud to lead the state in launching this innovative program, expanding opportunity for students and strengthening the utility workforce.
Kristen Botts co-founded the program with her husband, Nathan Botts, who is a Veteran himself. Photos provided by Kristen Botts.An organization helping Veterans live a full life after their service in the U.S. Military wants to connect Veterans and d
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