(BPRW) FPL, United Way Miami launch program to train the next generation of lineworkers

Pre-Apprenticeship Program will help students develop the skillsets needed to begin a career in the energy industry

(Black PR Wire) MIAMI, FLA. – Today, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and United Way Miami proudly welcomed the first class of students to the pilot Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which will prepare them with technical skills and knowledge required for a potential career as lineworkers.

This program recruits candidates from United Way Miami’s transformative workforce fund, UpSkill Miami, aiming to empower Miami-Dade County residents by offering skills training in high-demand industries, bridging the gap between a lack of skilled workers and unfilled jobs.

“At United Way, we know that addressing the challenges our community faces requires bold partnerships and innovative solutions,” said Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami. “Together with FPL, we’re proud to launch this first class of nearly a dozen individuals, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to enter the energy industry. We are opening doors to stable, rewarding careers by addressing the growing demand for skilled lineworkers. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of coming together to create opportunities and build a community where every individual and family can succeed.”

FPL’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program is for students interested in a future career as a skilled lineworker and features six months of formal training, which includes classroom instruction, field demonstration, computer-based training modules and two weeks of on-the-job training. During the program, students will learn to maintain and restore overhead and underground power lines, as well as the safe operations and care for various types of heavy equipment.

“We’re honored to partner with United Way Miami to help provide unique career development opportunities for students throughout South Florida,” said Ed De Varona, FPL vice president of power delivery. “At FPL, lineworkers provide an essential service that powers the everyday lives of our customers. The skills these students will learn through this Pre-Apprenticeship Program will set the stage for them to begin fulfilling careers that are important to our company, their communities and the state of Florida.”

During the program, students will participate in a two-week internship. Upon successfully completing the program, students may be considered for job offers with FPL for open positions based in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. 

To learn more about UpSkill Miami, visit unitedwaymiami.org/UpSkillMiami.

Florida Power and Light Company

As America’s largest electric utility, Florida Power & Light Company serves more customers and sells more power than any other utility, providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity to approximately 6 million accounts, or more than 12 million people. FPL operates one of the most fuel efficient and cleanest power generation fleets in the U.S and in 2022 won the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for the seventh time in the last ten years. The company was also recognized by Escalent in 2022 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities for the ninth consecutive year. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

For further information: Florida Power & Light Company, Media line: 561-694-4442, @FPL_Newsroom

ABOUT UNITED WAY MIAMI

United Way Miami has been a leader in Miami-Dade’s nonprofit community for 100 years. Founded in 1924, we work with our network of donors, volunteers and partners to transform the lives of our most vulnerable residents. We leverage our unique position to convene the community and build awareness of Miami-Dade’s needs and potential. Through our Core Four pillars – Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities and Economic Mobility – we invest in more than 100 programs at over 60 impact partner agencies and lead 17 initiatives to address local issues and support families and individuals throughout the county. Entering our next century, we’re building on our legacy of future-focused, innovative, collaborative work to continue making a lasting impact today and for generations to come. For more information, visit unitedwaymiami.org.

Photo 1: Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) proudly welcomed the first class of students to the new Bright Path Pre-Apprenticeship program, “Learners Today. Lineworkers Tomorrow” which will prepare them with the technical skills and knowledge required for a potential career as lineworkers. The program is a partnership with United Way Miami, UpSkill Miami, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers labor union.