RALEIGH, NC, USA, Feb 18, 2026 – The Siemens Foundation launched Careers Electric, a national initiative to expand access to high quality electrical training and create clear pathways to well-paying, in-demand electrical careers. Designed to meet the nation’s accelerating electrification needs, Careers Electric equips students and workers with technical, digital, safety, and other workplace skills required in today’s rapidly evolving energy, healthcare manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.
Electrification is accelerating across the U.S. economy as data centers, AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and additional sources of energy expand. This growth is driving unprecedented demand for skilled electrical workers. By 2030, the U.S. will need 130,000 additional electricians to support industry growth and critical infrastructure, at a time when the nation is working to stay competitive in AI, reshore manufacturing, and strengthen its energy independence. Careers Electric responds to this challenge by equipping more people with the skills and opportunities needed to enter high-quality electrical careers.
Careers Electric launches in North Carolina with a $9.25 million investment from the Siemens Foundation and partnerships with state leaders, education partners, and national workforce organizations. Partners include the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), the North Carolina Community College Foundation (NCCCF) and System (NCCCS), Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech), Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), the Families and Workers Fund (FWF), and other industry employers across North Carolina. 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.
“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.”
“North Carolina’s strong workforce ecosystem, business-friendly climate, and surging demand for electrification position our state to lead the nation in building the skilled electrical workforce of the future,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “As our energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors expand, this partnership opens the door for more North Carolinians to access high-quality training and secure good-paying careers that support families and strengthen our economy.”
The initiative is rooted in the Siemens Foundation’s mission to build a strong national trade workforce and expand economic opportunity, reflecting its longstanding commitment to increasing access to stable, in-demand careers. This includes its support for national electrification and infrastructure training programs that now reach thousands of trainees annually through standardized curriculum and hands-on learning.
“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.”
Through Careers Electri, the Siemens Foundation aims to accelerate the talent development required to support America’s electrification, reindustrialization, and AI-enabled industrial growth.
About Siemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation advances workforce development in focused fields, including manufacturing, electrification, and healthcare in the United States. Established in 1998, the Siemens Foundation has invested $174 million in the United States to support the development of U.S. workers by scaling best-practices and investing in workforce training and education. Through partnerships with national organizations, we work to improve individual lives and local communities. Further information is available at www.siemens-foundation.org.
