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Who We Are...

STEPS4GROWTH is an ambitious program intended to deliver training in four sectors of the clean energy economy: Energy efficiency, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and green building construction. Graduates of the program may enter the workforce in one of many clean energy jobs or continue their schooling. Program participants may come from any degree-seeking science program at North Carolina A&T, or one of the state’s community colleges. High school students may also enroll in the program to get a head start on training that will be even more valuable when they enter the workforce. STEPS4GROWTH is first being offered in 17 economically distressed N.C. counties.

About

Dr. Balo Gokaraju

Dr. Balakrishna (Balu) Gokaraju is an associate directorof visualization and Computation Advancing Research (VICAR) Center, and associate professor in the Dept. of Computational Data Science and Engineering at North Carolina A&T State Univ. (NCAT). He works very closely with Automotive Industries’ Research teams in developing the Self-Driving Cars Technology in Clean Energy. Some of these efforts include sponsorship from SAE international, General Motors, FORD, NSF and Mercedes Benz.

His Research background is extensive in statellite remote sensing applications and HPC, with 10 years of service in various National Labs including, NASA Goddard Space and Flight Center, MD High Performance Computing Collaboratory (HPCC), Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), Geosystems Research Institute (GRI) in MS, and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). His current research interests are in Spatio-Temporalal Scientific Visualizations, HPC, Fully Autonomous Cars, Ground Rovers, Off-road vehicles, and IOT sensor Network. He is an effectual contributor with proven record in twenty one sponsored projects in the equivalent of $82.9 Million as PI and Co-PI. His research interests are sponsored and partnered by NSF, DOC, NOAA, NASA, U.S, DOEd., Dept. of Labor, DOE, and DOD. He strongly believes in engineering written communication and co-authored 20 IEEE journal (including 384 citations in last 5 years) and 36 peer-reviewed conference publications in IEEE. His Ph.D is in Electrical andComputer Engineering from Mississippi State Univ.

Dr. Greg Monty

Greg Monty is a Director, Center For Energy Research & Technology at North Carolina A&T State University based in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is an analytical and results-oriented engineering professional with extensive experience in all aspects of research and development, statr-up companies, semiconductors and nanotechnology, electrical engineering, product development, project management, standards development, patents, quality, sustainability, and business development. He uses keen eye for detail to solve problems quickly and implement innovations to improve processes, ensuring continuous achievement for an organization. He’s a creative thinker that brings visions to reality, drives a company to the forefront of the industry and makes substancial contributions to the success of a corporation.

Green Energy

Steps4Growth is a green energy company that creates job opportunities while contributing to a sustainable future. They offer services in solar energy, wind energy, energy efficiency, battery storage, EV infrastructure, and green financing. In solar energy, they install, maintain, and monitor solar panels, generating employment for technicians and installers. For wind energy, they identify suitable locations, conduct feasibility studies, and manage wind turbine installations, creating jobs for engineers and project managers. Steps4Growth also provides energy audits and consulting services, creating opportunities for energy auditors and consultants. They offer customized battery storage solutions, requiring technicians skilled in installation and maintenance. In the EV sector, they install charging stations, providing employment for electricians and technicians. Additionally, Steps4Growth assists clients in accessing green financing, stimulating job creation in finance and consultancy. Overall, the company’s commitment to green energy not only contributes to sustainability but also generates employment in solar and wind installations, energy audits, battery storage, EV infrastructure, and green financing.

Industry Partner Commitment

  • Willingness to hire the CE Graduates with Certificates On-the Job Training (OJT)
  • Cost to the industry partner is between ($15 p.h,$2,250 – $30 p.h.,$4,500) for summer OJT sponsorship, 300 hr, 10-weeks for each participant.
  • Industry partner to commit one or more full-time or part-time placements by April 2023

Take advantage of this opportunity to help craft the curriculum for the clean technology industry

Time investment required for Curriculum Development:

  • Willingness to hire the CE Graduates with Certificates On-the Job Training (OJT)
  • Cost to the industry partner is between ($15 p.h,$2,250 – $30 p.h.,$4,500) for summer OJT sponsorship, 300 hr, 10-weeks for each participant.
  • Industry partner to commit one or more full-time or part-time placements by April 2023

Clean Energy Student Job Internship Opportunities

Greensboro: (Energy Efficiency & Architectural)
  • CommissioningWorx
  • CPL Architects
  • Superior Mechanical
  • PledmontServicesGroup
  • N.C. A&T Facilities
  • Hoffman & HoffMan Group
  • Energy Reduction Specialists Group
  • HyFabco
Wake: (Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency)
  • NC Electric Cooperatives
  • Department of Administration
  • Sonder Energy
  • ENPIRA
  • N.C. A&T Facilities
  • Carolina Commercial Systems
Halifax: (Renewable Energy)
  • CSTRATE Energy
  • ENVIVA
  • SRoanoke Electric
  • West Rock
  • Roseburg Lumber
Charlotte (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency)